Synonym Chooser

How is the word auspicious different from other adjectives like it?

The words favorable and propitious are common synonyms of auspicious. While all three words mean "pointing toward a happy outcome," auspicious applies to something taken as a sign or omen promising success before or at the start of an event.

an auspicious beginning

In what contexts can favorable take the place of auspicious?

In some situations, the words favorable and auspicious are roughly equivalent. However, favorable implies that the persons involved are approving or helpful or that the circumstances are advantageous.

favorable weather conditions

When would propitious be a good substitute for auspicious?

The synonyms propitious and auspicious are sometimes interchangeable, but propitious may also apply to beginnings but often implies a continuing favorable condition.

a propitious time for starting a business

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of auspicious Fortunately, with Venus joining forces with Jupiter in Cancer on Aug. 12, energy around love and creativity becomes amplified, offering an auspicious opportunity to indulge what brings you joy. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Aug. 2025 May 12, 2032 will be a rather auspicious occasion for Saturn, as its ring system will be open to its widest — 26.90° — to Earth. Joe Rao, Space.com, 28 July 2025 With Jupiter also in Cancer, this is an auspicious four-week cycle for manifesting abundance through heartfelt conversations, digital storytelling, or meaningful connections. Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 27 July 2025 Austin is ready to celebrate this auspicious occasion with a variety of events, from vibrant parades and cultural performances to delicious feasts and community gatherings. Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for auspicious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for auspicious
Adjective
  • Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images/Getty Images Washington Commanders receive promising grade for Brian Robinson Jr. trade On Sunday, ESPN's Seth Walder and Ben Solak did a report card for all the recent trades that have transpired in the NFL.
    Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
  • But beta-blockers may be a promising treatment, the research shows.
    Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The maintenance of a favorable risk-reward ratio over a shorter timeframe of 5 years is promising for retirement accounts – mitigating the risk of liquidation (if necessary) during adverse drawdown scenarios.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • And, the team and league are struggling to secure a favorable media rights deal for the club.
    Dan Hayes, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Despite the challenges that have beset American education, the horizon has bright points.
    Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
  • But the bright side is having extra time to explore one of the country’s busiest airports — instead of just counting the minutes to your next boarding call.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Still, over time, the picture is encouraging, according to numbers from AH Datalytics, which tracks crimes across the country using law enforcement data for its Real-Time Crime Index.
    Christopher L. Keller, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
  • The results in my own organization have been encouraging: • Production incidents dropped by 60% within three months.
    Shiva Krishna Kodithyala, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • No time is better than late summer to be optimistic about our sports teams, including both the Detroit Lions and the Detroit Pistons.
    Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Cavs fans seem optimistic Tony Elliott’s fourth team won’t be terrible, but clearly UVA is beatable.
    Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The window of time for planting corn is closing, but now is still a propitious moment to sow its seeds.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 12 July 2025
  • Look for announcements of big cost savings and maybe some propitious writedowns.
    Matt Schifrin, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Auspicious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/auspicious. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.

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