favorable

adjective

fa·​vor·​able ˈfā-v(ə-)rə-bəl 

ˈfā-vər-bəl

1

a

: disposed to favor : partial

taking a favorable attitude toward our request

b

: expressing approval : commendatory

The movie received a favorable review.

c

: giving a result that is in one's favor

a favorable comparison

d

: affirmative

a favorable reply

2

: winning approval : pleasing

a favorable impression

3

a

: tending to promote or facilitate : advantageous

a favorable wind

b

: marked by success

a favorable demonstration of a new invention

favorability

ˌfā-v(ə-)rə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

ˌfā-vər-

noun

favorableness noun

favorably

ˈfā-v(ə-)rə-blē 

ˈfā-vər-blē

adverb

Synonyms

• admiring
• applauding
• appreciative
• approbatory
• approving
• commendatory
• complimentary
• friendly
• good
• positive

Choose the Right Synonym for favorable

favorable, auspicious, propitious mean pointing toward a happy outcome.

favorable implies that the persons involved are approving or helpful or that the circumstances are advantageous.

favorable weather conditions

auspicious applies to something taken as a sign or omen promising success before or at the start of an event.

an auspicious beginning

propitious may also apply to beginnings but often implies a continuing favorable condition.

a propitious time for starting a business

Examples of favorable in a Sentence

The new play got many favorable reviews.

He was given a favorable recommendation.

Early test results were favorable.

Recent Examples on the Web

Among some defense attorneys, Burns’ reputation was less favorable. —Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Apr. 2024

The Riverside County seat also became slightly more favorable to Democrats in the last round of redistricting, with the addition of Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage on its eastern edge. —Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2024

Johnson’s rating was a lot worse — minus 12 — in the same survey: 39% favorable, 51% unfavorable. —Craig Gilbert, Journal Sentinel, 22 Apr. 2024

Retaliating openly and with force would help Iran restore a more favorable status quo by discouraging Israel from again straying from the tacit parameters the two parties had established through the shadow war. —Afshon Ostovar, Foreign Affairs, 19 Apr. 2024

None of which received the same favorable attention as Wyland's whales. —Detroit Free Press, 14 Apr. 2024

Fortune Solar hope dims in Europe European solar firms facing challenges in their home markets are considering expansion to the U.S., where demand is strong and sustainable policies are more favorable. —Alex Wood Morton, Fortune Europe, 16 Apr. 2024

The future for a larger child credit is more favorable. —David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 15 Apr. 2024

This time around, union members said conditions are more favorable, with a friendlier political climate under the Biden administration and a wave of other unionization efforts at colleges across the country. —Journal Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see favor entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

favorable

adjective

fa·​vor·​able ˈfāv-(ə-)rə-bəl 

ˈfā-vər-bəl

1

: showing favor : approving

a favorable reply

2

: promising, advantageous

favorable weather for the fair

favorableness noun

favorably

-blē 

adverb