AUSPICIOUS Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

auspicious

adjective

ȯ-ˈspi-shəs

Definition of auspicious next

as in promising

having qualities which inspire hope told him she couldn't dance with him just then, but her auspicious smile encouraged him to ask again later

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in favorable

pointing toward a happy outcome began the season with an auspicious win against their strongest football rival

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples of auspicious in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In a possible bit of recent history repeating itself, the merger between Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines is looking a little bit shakier after an auspicious request from the federal government. —

Melvin Backman, Quartz, 31 July 2024 Overall, the astrology of this week suggests that there is an auspicious yet enduring energy that will help Harris win the Democrat party’s endorsement. —

Liz Simmons, StyleCaster, 24 July 2024 White House insiders — including Harris — have, after all, long praised the show for accurately capturing the bumbling chaos within the auspicious halls. —

Whizy Kim, Vox, 23 July 2024 Politics Addiction is messy, as the Hunter Biden trial proves June 4, 2024 The Bidens’ meeting in the spring of 2019 was hardly auspicious. —

Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for auspicious

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