prospective
adjective
pro·spec·tive
prə-ˈspek-tiv 
also ˈprä-ˌspek-,
prō-ˈspek-,
prä-ˈspek-
1
: relating to or effective in the future
prospectively
adverb
Examples of prospective in a Sentence
In 2005 [Jerry] Colangelo arranged face-to-face sit-downs with every prospective national team player, to hear in their own words why they wanted to represent their country.
—
Alexander Wolff, Sports Illustrated, 28 July 2008
All too often in the post-Vietnam past—the first Gulf War, for example—the default position of the Democratic Party has been to assume that any prospective use of U.S. military power would be immoral.
—Joe Klein, Time, 21 Aug. 2006
All of these arguments were prospective, all anticipated the role that public opinion would play in future constitutional disputes.
—Jack N. Rakove, Original Meanings …, 1996
Alexander Wolff, Sports Illustrated, 28 July 2008
All too often in the post-Vietnam past—the first Gulf War, for example—the default position of the Democratic Party has been to assume that any prospective use of U.S. military power would be immoral.
—Joe Klein, Time, 21 Aug. 2006
All of these arguments were prospective, all anticipated the role that public opinion would play in future constitutional disputes.
—Jack N. Rakove, Original Meanings …, 1996
Recent Examples on the Web
Most prospective buyers will remain on the purchase sidelines, anticipating even lower rates.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2026
The biggest challenge to the industry in the near future, Harteveldt said, would be prospective travelers reluctant to visit the Gulf and Middle East as a result of the conflict.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
The bottom line Silver could realistically hit or even surpass the $200 per ounce record this March, giving current investors reason to celebrate and prospective ones an urgent push to get started before that plays out.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
The bill also adds three additional categories to the disclosures required under Civil Code section 4525 for prospective buyers.
—Kelly G. Richardson, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prospective
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.
Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2026
The biggest challenge to the industry in the near future, Harteveldt said, would be prospective travelers reluctant to visit the Gulf and Middle East as a result of the conflict.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
The bottom line Silver could realistically hit or even surpass the $200 per ounce record this March, giving current investors reason to celebrate and prospective ones an urgent push to get started before that plays out.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
The bill also adds three additional categories to the disclosures required under Civil Code section 4525 for prospective buyers.
—Kelly G. Richardson, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prospective
Cite this Entry
“Prospective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prospective. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prospective
adjective
pro·spec·tive
prə-ˈspek-tiv
also ˈprä-ˌspek-,
prō-ˈspek-,
prä-ˈspek-
1
: likely to come about
prospective benefits
2
: likely to become
a prospective buyer
Medical Definition
prospective
adjective
pro·spec·tive
prə-ˈspek-tiv
: relating to or being a study (as of the incidence of disease) that starts with the present condition of a population of individuals and follows them into the future compare retrospective
Legal Definition
prospective
adjective
pro·spec·tive
prə-ˈspek-tiv, ˈprä-ˌspek-
1
: relating to or effective in the future
a statute's prospective effect
2
: likely to come about : expected to happen
prospective inability to perform the contract
3
: likely to be or become
a prospective buyer
prospectively
adverb
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
