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Synonym Chooser

How is the word fruitful distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of fruitful are fecund, fertile, and prolific. While all these words mean "producing or capable of producing offspring or fruit," fruitful adds to fertile and fecund the implication of desirable or useful results.

fruitful research

When is fecund a more appropriate choice than fruitful?

The words fecund and fruitful can be used in similar contexts, but fecund emphasizes abundance or rapidity in bearing fruit or offspring.

a fecund herd

In what contexts can fertile take the place of fruitful?

In some situations, the words fertile and fruitful are roughly equivalent. However, fertile implies the power to reproduce in kind or to assist in reproduction and growth; applied figuratively, it suggests readiness of invention and development.

fertile soil
a fertile imagination

When would prolific be a good substitute for fruitful?

The meanings of prolific and fruitful largely overlap; however, prolific stresses rapidity of spreading or multiplying by or as if by natural reproduction.

a prolific writer

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fruitful Gold coins represent future prosperity, lots of fruit, a reminder of a joyous and fruitful life together, spices for the spice of life, flowers symbolizing beauty, and a book of poetry, from which the official will often read. Iman Hariri-Kia, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2024 The 1,000-mile journey from Fargo, N.D., to Frisco, Texas, has been fruitful and fulfilling for North Dakota State football. Scott Dochterman, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025 So, looking amidst the wreckage in healthcare and consumer staples could prove fruitful, particularly if the economy disappoints or the artificial intelligence wave hits some turbulence. Bill Stone, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024 December proved to be a fruitful month as the Senate unanimously approved the measure and the House voted 367 to 33, sending the bill to President Biden’s desk. Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 24 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fruitful 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fruitful
Adjective
  • From the Heartland Brand: John Deere Now available on YouTube In 2014, a devastating flood swept over the small town of Luverne, Minnesota, destroying public infrastructure, personal property, and some of the most fertile farmland in the country.
    Forbes, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
  • As that ocean vanished, its creatures perished, their fossil bones forming the fertile, chalky soils of the South.
    Caroline Winterer / Made by History, TIME, 14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • This advancement could potentially lead to a cleaner, more efficient energy future.
    Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 24 Jan. 2025
  • The Bills, led by an efficient Allen and a solid defense, will end Mahomes’ dreams of a three-peat.
    Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The artist behind the car was Pininfarina’s Leonardo Fioravanti, among the most prolific Italian car designers of his age, and whose signature is on Ferrari’s Daytona, 512, Testarossa, and so many other benchmark designs.
    Robert Ross, Robb Report, 31 Jan. 2025
  • Barkley posted one of the most prolific seasons ever for a running back after signing a $37.75 million, three-year contract in March.
    Josh Dubow, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Bag charms became pretty popular last year, and that’s a gentler, but effective expression of that kind of whimsy.
    Aamina Inayat Khan, StyleCaster, 23 Jan. 2025
  • In other words, eating these greens raw is the most effective method.
    Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Larry Ellison, also one of the world’s richest men, is facing regulatory hurdles with the Paramount-Skydance merger that would see his son, Skydance CEO David Ellison, running the combined media assets.
    Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Eating purple foods rich in anthocyanins may help support gut health, ease inflammation, and reduce oxidative stress (cell damage).1 1.
    Johna Burdeos, Health, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Charania said that the Heat has had some productive conversations on a potential trade this week.
    Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Identify at least one productive coping mechanism for your stress.
    Korin Miller, SELF, 21 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near fruitful

Cite this Entry

“Fruitful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fruitful. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fruitful

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