favorable

adjective

fa·​vor·​able ˈfā-v(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce favorable (audio)
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 noun
favorableness noun
favorably
ˈfā-v(ə-)rə-blē How to pronounce favorable (audio)
ˈfā-vər-blē
adverb
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

Example Sentences

The new play got many favorable reviews. He was given a favorable recommendation. Early test results were favorable.
Recent Examples on the Web The Fox audience had come to expect favorable news about President Trump. Jeremy W. Peters, New York Times, 27 May 2023 Much of her decline in popularity came in the last three months — with favorable views dropping 8 points since voters were last surveyed in February. Benjamin Oreskes, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2023 Under favorable conditions and over warm water, Mawar will probably become a Category 5 storm in coming days. Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 24 May 2023 According to a polling memo from Emerson, Craft's slide since April coincided with a decline in her favorable rating among GOP respondents. Joe Sonka, The Courier-Journal, 15 May 2023 They’re meant to signal to management that pilots are willing to take drastic measures to secure favorable terms in a new contract. Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 12 May 2023 Paez, in her first major role, makes a favorable impression, extending Caro’s interest in women taking charge of their own fates. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 May 2023 The panel is slated to discuss whether ARS’s pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic data for neffy compared to epinephrine injection are sufficient to establish the efficacy and safety of the nasal spray and whether ARS’s data supports a favorable benefit-risk assessment. wsj.com, 11 May 2023 These threads come together when Rebecca cherry-picks a disgraced journalist named Silas Jordan (Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine) to write a favorable profile of the sisters. Jennifer Wilson, The New Republic, 8 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'favorable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see favor entry 1

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of favorable was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near favorable

Cite this Entry

“Favorable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/favorable. Accessed 9 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

favorable

adjective
fa·​vor·​able ˈfāv-(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce favorable (audio)
ˈfā-vər-bəl
1
: showing favor : approving
a favorable reply
2
: promising, advantageous
favorable weather for the fair
favorableness noun
favorably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on favorable

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