Synonym Chooser

How is the word propitious different from other adjectives like it?

The words auspicious and favorable are common synonyms of propitious. While all three words mean "pointing toward a happy outcome," propitious may also apply to beginnings but often implies a continuing favorable condition.

a propitious time for starting a business

In what contexts can auspicious take the place of propitious?

In some situations, the words auspicious and propitious are roughly equivalent. However, auspicious applies to something taken as a sign or omen promising success before or at the start of an event.

an auspicious beginning

Where would favorable be a reasonable alternative to propitious?

The synonyms favorable and propitious are sometimes interchangeable, but favorable implies that the persons involved are approving or helpful or that the circumstances are advantageous.

favorable weather conditions

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 propitious But the timing of his current warning may be propitious. Michael Peregrine, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025 This might have been an even more propitious sign of what was to come. Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025 Fintech investment’s 2024 dip to a seven-year low is the propitious moment for this investment category, too, to modernize. Ruth Foxe Blader, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025 The opening marked the debut of The New Yorker, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this week at a moment that is not propitious for either magazines or movies. Peter Bart, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for propitious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propitious
Adjective
  • Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images/Getty Images Washington Commanders receive promising grade for Brian Robinson Jr. trade On Sunday, ESPN's Seth Walder and Ben Solak did a report card for all the recent trades that have transpired in the NFL.
    Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
  • Within days, Hankey–who had built a fortune offering high-interest car loans–presented Trump with a promising deal.
    Thomas Gallagher, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • And, the team and league are struggling to secure a favorable media rights deal for the club.
    Dan Hayes, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
  • The maintenance of a favorable risk-reward ratio over a shorter timeframe of 5 years is promising for retirement accounts – mitigating the risk of liquidation (if necessary) during adverse drawdown scenarios.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • But the bright side is having extra time to explore one of the country’s busiest airports — instead of just counting the minutes to your next boarding call.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2025
  • Despite the challenges that have beset American education, the horizon has bright points.
    Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Still, over time, the picture is encouraging, according to numbers from AH Datalytics, which tracks crimes across the country using law enforcement data for its Real-Time Crime Index.
    Christopher L. Keller, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
  • The results in my own organization have been encouraging: • Production incidents dropped by 60% within three months.
    Shiva Krishna Kodithyala, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • No time is better than late summer to be optimistic about our sports teams, including both the Detroit Lions and the Detroit Pistons.
    Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Cavs fans seem optimistic Tony Elliott’s fourth team won’t be terrible, but clearly UVA is beatable.
    Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Propitious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propitious. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.

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