favorable

play

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

Definition of favorable

1a : disposed to favor : partial taking a favorable attitude toward our requestb : expressing approval : commendatory The movie received a favorable review.c : giving a result that is in one's favor a favorable comparisond : affirmative a favorable reply
2 : winning approval : pleasing a favorable impression
3a : tending to promote or facilitate : advantageous a favorable windb : marked by success a favorable demonstration of a new invention

favorability

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

favorableness

noun

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

In upgrading his forecast, Phil Klotzbach at Colorado State, heir to the forecast dominion of the late William M. Gray, cited favorable conditions in both the Atlantic and Pacific.

— anthony r. wood, Philly.com, "Tropical-storm outlook upgraded; traffic brisker than expected", 5 July 2017
This savings is a result of leveraging the buying power of our city to negotiate favorable energy prices in the private energy sector.

— Cincinnati.com, "Column: Join club that will save you money", 28 June 2017
Other Republicans, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, have cherry-picked the analysis, highlighting more favorable projections on deficit reduction and premiums while disputing the rest.

— russell berman, The Atlantic, "Senate Bill Would Leave 22 Million More Uninsured, CBO Finds", 26 June 2017
Kennedy’s record was given a more than favorable review by Pitchfork when it was released in April, and Kennedy was signed early to Pampa Records.

— dayna evans, The Cut, "Sophia Kennedy Made the Best Pop Record You’ve Probably Never Heard Of", 23 June 2017
A legal scholar not involved in the case, Eric Carpenter, said defense attorneys could have a tough time convincing the judge of those arguments, but a favorable ruling on either could help steer the case away from harsher punishments.

— jonathan drew, The Seattle Times, "Bergdahl lawyers rip gov’t case, dispute most serious charge", 21 June 2017
The closure, which went into effect on Tuesday, June 20, will be in place until Thursday morning and then the forest serve will reassess to ensure conditions are favorable for hiking the popular trail east of Ramona and south of Julian.

— Ramona Sentinel, "Heat conditions spur emergency closure at Three Sisters Falls", 21 June 2017
The Lake poll found that 64 percent of likely voters have a favorable opinion of her, while 25 percent have an unfavorable opinion.

— steve harrison, charlotteobserver, "Roberts campaign releases poll showing she’s ahead in primary. Will lead last?", 20 June 2017
The National Hurricane Center reported Friday evening (June 16) that conditions appear to be favorable for gradual development of a disturbance moving across the Yucatan Peninsula.

— national hurricane center, NOLA.com, "Disturbance to move into Gulf of Mexico early next week: National Hurricane Center", 16 June 2017

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

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. 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