PROPITIOUS Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

propitious

adjective

prə-ˈpi-shəs

Definition of propitious next

as in promising

having qualities which inspire hope the success of the first big movie in May was a propitious start for the summer season of blockbusters

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in favorable

pointing toward a happy outcome a propitious time for starting a business

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 propitious The timing couldn’t have been more propitious with the trade deadline pending. —

Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 31 July 2024 International pressure, particularly the U.S. policies over the preceding decade, is a key factor contributing to this propitious development. —

Jose Ignacio Hernández, Foreign Affairs, 29 July 2024 The Screenings come at a propitious time in many ways for Spanish cinema. —

John Hopewell, Variety, 3 Mar. 2024 Yet this seemingly propitious combination has locked the Federal Reserve into inaction. —

Jeff Sommer, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for propitious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for propitious

Adjective

Chop Robinson came on to seem like a promising pick moving forward.

— Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2025
The case attracted international attention at the time not only because the victim — a promising artistic soul with several short films already to his name — was the child of a celebrity, but because the driver was apparently famous as well.

— Peter Debruge, Variety, 20 Jan. 2025