favorable

adjective fa·vor·able \ ˈfā-v(ə-)rə-bəl , ˈfā-vər-bəl \

|Updated on: 12 Jul 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: favorable in a Sentence

Definition of favorable

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

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favorability

play \ˌfā-v(ə-)rə-ˈbi-lə-tē, ˌfā-vər-\ noun

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favorableness

noun

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favorably

play \ˈfā-v(ə-)rə-blē, ˈfā-vər-blē\ adverb

See favorable defined for English-language learners

See favorable defined for kids

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 of favorable from the Web

While not exactly a run-away smash, the song earned favorable reviews.

— jordan runtagh, PEOPLE.com, "The B-52s at 40: An Oral History of Their Awesomely Bizarre Beach Party Breakthrough 'Rock Lobster'," 29 May 2018
Marin’s program received a favorable review and rating this month from Moody’s Investors Service, the first time the service had ever rated a community choice agency.

— david r. baker, San Francisco Chronicle, "A new type of public power is growing in California, and raising alarms," 26 May 2018
The commission noted that despite that, Leach received a favorable performance review from James Johns’ principal in spring 2013.

— aimee green, OregonLive.com, "Portland school discipline coach assaulted 5-year-old student, lawsuit claims," 25 May 2018
Add the fact that Wenger left Arsenal in a less-than-favorable situation on the pitch, and Emery’s new adventure looks to be a very rocky one at the outset.

— juan pimiento, chicagotribune.com, "The Champions League final, Wenger's successor at Arsenal and the best of the week in soccer," 24 May 2018
Android Wear watches have gotten favorable reviews in the past, but the question still remains why somebody would buy an Android smartwatch?

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Google Might Finally Make a Smartwatch," 11 May 2018
Even so, Facebook manages to net a positive rating (48 percent favorable vs. 41 percent unfavorable), beating out Zuckerberg (37 percent vs. 45 percent) and Twitter (37 percent vs. 39 percent).

— Fox News, "Fox News Poll: Considered deleting Facebook? Many users say yes," 26 Apr. 2018
Like that film, Far Cry 5 has netted overwhelmingly favorable reviews even as critics acknowledge its story is suspect.

— joshua rivera, GQ, "Far Cry 5 Review: Finally, a Video Game for Cowards," 2 Apr. 2018
The 5-year-old mare has failed to hit the board over her last five starts but finally moves to a more favorable outside post in a race that has enough early zip to set her up off the pace run.

— scott shapiro, The Courier-Journal, "Twinspires.com's expert pick for Sunday's races at Churchill Downs," 23 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'favorable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of favorable

see ¹favor

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

favorable Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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.