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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 What once felt fruitful just becomes set up for a gotcha punchline that seems to laugh in the face of anyone actually invested in the story. Esther Zuckerman, IndieWire, 7 Mar. 2025 Already, training that model—and teaching G-Star’s designers to use it—has yielded some fruitful results for the brand. Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 21 Mar. 2025 But his time in California during the ’60s also ended up being fruitful. Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 18 Mar. 2025 Barkley’s first season in Philadelphia was a fruitful one. Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fruitful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fruitful
Adjective
  • Organizations that encourage curiosity and provide space for experimentation create fertile ground for new ideas to emerge and evolve.
    Mark Nevins, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
  • Once a thriving dairy farm, Rancho Dos Pueblos also offers fertile ground for regenerative agriculture—whether cultivating citrus or avocados.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Public services, from healthcare to transportation, adapt in real time using machine learning, creating a city that is not just efficient but truly responsive to its residents.
    Cathy Hackl, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Experiments are under way with algae (since algae breathes carbon dioxide and provides oxygen in return), and smaller, more efficient plant designs.
    David Pogue, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • There was a moment when such industry stalwarts as producer J.J. Abrams or management mogul and L.A. Olympics czar Casey Wasserman, both prolific Democratic bundlers, seemed poised to assume the perch vacated by Katzenberg, but neither has yet met the challenge.
    Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Throughout his prolific career in Hollywood, the actor dated fellow A-listers, including Cher, Cindy Crawford and Angelina Jolie.
    Adam England, People.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Getting treatment For women experiencing pelvic floor muscle tension, pelvic floor physical therapy is often an effective treatment option to reduce pain and prevent muscles from becoming overly tight in the future, Falter said.
    Julianna Bragg, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025
  • The North Carolina Forest Service has issued a statewide ban on all open burning and has cancelled all burning permits effective from 8 a.m. Friday until further notice.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • While Sanders was in Colorado railing against the influence of billionaires, the world's richest man, Elon Musk, was at the Pentagon.
    ABC News, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The style is classic yet rustic, with smooth planks, a rich stain, decorative moldings along the rim, and baseboards along the bottom.
    Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Fishing will always be more productive during long spans of consistent conditions.
    Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 3 Apr. 2025
  • And while the team has a plethora of needs, the Carolina faithful has even more questions about the future of their favorite team following a productive but one-sided free agency haul last month.
    Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fruitful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fruitful. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.

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