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 Opening night was the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, Lin remembers, an important and auspicious day. Lina Abascal, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025 This could be an auspicious time to get a move on finding another job or seeing an adjustment around fitness or diet. Kyle Thomas, People.com, 18 May 2025 Mercury and Jupiter’s auspicious connection sets your eyes on the highest prize: personal growth. Usa Today, USA Today, 5 May 2025 By The New York Times The timing may be auspicious. Abdi Latif Dahir, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for auspicious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for auspicious
Adjective
  • The tech giant’s big-budget racing drama, starring Brad Pitt as a Formula One driver who is coerced out of retirement to coach a slick rookie (Damson Idris), is targeting a promising $50 million to $60 million in its debut.
    Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 25 June 2025
  • Sacramento has recently eliminated parking minimums and density caps citywide to promote new housing development, a promising approach to address housing scarcity.
    Mahdi E Diab, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • The odds backcourt mate Will Richard would hear his name called were not nearly as favorable.
    Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2025
  • Some analysts downplayed the incidents as routine hiccups typical of a company testing a new product, while others viewed the miscues as a troubling sign for the capability of the technology, especially in light of favorable conditions sought out by Tesla.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • After all, when the sun is so bright and the water so warm, who would ever want the summer to end?
    Erik Morse, Vogue, 26 June 2025
  • The Royals are betting Cruz’s future remains bright.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • While the statement was viewed as an encouraging sign that the bilateral trade talks are progressing, economists cautioned that the lack of details had left much in doubt, including what criteria Beijing will use to evaluate the application for exporting rare earth magnets.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 30 June 2025
  • Incremental Progress Beats Standing Still National trends are encouraging, but public charging reliability still varies widely depending on geography, network operator, and compatibility between vehicle and infrastructure.
    Stacy Noblet, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Following The Crowd When investors are optimistic, stock prices rise.
    Catherine Brock, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • McEnroe this week sounded a bit more optimistic during a pre-Wimbledon tune-up with reporters staged by ESPN.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • And the present environment, with harsh temperatures, intense radiation, and a sparse atmosphere, isn’t exactly propitious for life.
    Elizabeth Rayne, ArsTechnica, 19 Apr. 2025
  • But the timing of his current warning may be propitious.
    Michael Peregrine, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Auspicious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/auspicious. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

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