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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

Examples 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 Some of the best kickers have overcome periods of turbulence in otherwise long and fruitful careers, including Stover, who bounced back to make 83.8% of his 563 career attempts and landed in the Ravens Ring of Honor. Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 20 Nov. 2024 The trip proved fruitful: Many of the house’s stunning crystal chandeliers, decorative objets, and Art Deco furniture pieces were Paris finds. Catherine Hong, Architectural Digest, 10 Dec. 2024 The advantages make business alliances exciting and even invaluable, often proving more fruitful than solely economic benefits. Jim O'Brien, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024 Russia needs Iran in order to sustain its war effort in Ukraine and evade Western sanctions; so the more Israel can damage Iran, the less fruitful Moscow’s ties to Tehran will be. Niall Ferguson, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fruitful 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fruitful
Adjective
  • But rather than discard the 39th president in damnatio memoriae, Carter's decades-long post-presidency proved fertile ground for his rehabilitation as an elder statesman.
    George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
  • What makes these fertile grounds for detective fiction?
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • While KenPom ranks UConn’s offense as the second-most efficient in the nation, its efficiency on the defensive end is down to No. 102 nationally, despite improvement since returning from Maui.
    Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 31 Dec. 2024
  • If 2023 was dominated by the ladylike Margaux bag and the prim-and-proper dressing mood that followed in its wake, then 2024 belongs to the efficient, yet extremely elegant N/S Park tote.
    Laura Jackson, Vogue, 30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Also a prolific pitchwoman and investor, Morgan acquired stakes this year in Unrivaled, the forthcoming women’s pro basketball league, and Classic Football Shirts, which sells vintage soccer jerseys.
    Brett Knight, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
  • Alonso is one of the most prolific power hitters in baseball.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The Wolves are 11th in effective field-goal percentage and 13th in true shooting percentage.
    Zach Harper, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
  • Lack of effective treatment leaves people with few options A 2020 study found that hoarding correlates with homelessness, and those with the disorder are more likely to be evicted.
    Sarah Boden, NPR, 30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The finish is rich, with creamy, syrupy mouthfeel, lingering caramel, and mocha notes.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
  • One lucky person in California is now a whole lot richer after purchasing a winning Mega Millions ticket at a gas station.
    Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Developing a new productive capacity takes time, so senior executives who have a wait and see attitude may find themselves on the wrong side of an experience curve that will be hard to compete with.
    John Sviokla, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
  • Pedroia’s last productive season came in 2017, when he was limited to 105 games due to left knee soreness thanks in part to the infamous play where Manny Machado spiked him during a close play at second base.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near fruitful

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on fruitful

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