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 By The New York Times The timing may be auspicious. Abdi Latif Dahir, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025 All around it was an auspicious start for San Diego’s newest company, OnWord Theatre. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025 This is also an auspicious period to improve your fitness, diet or physical health. Skyler Caruso, People.com, 24 May 2025 All are likely to face formidable new competition, although an argument can be made that more venues will create more demand in a city with an auspicious history of prestidigitation. Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for auspicious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for auspicious
Adjective
  • The most promising opportunities often lie at the intersection of significant pain and institutional blindness—where inefficiency has been accepted as inevitable.
    AllBusiness, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
  • As of now, the seemingly inevitable mass adoption of electrification has yet to live up to the hype, internal-combustion engines continue firing on all cylinders, and hybrid technology appears to be the most promising path ahead.
    Robert Ross, Robb Report, 11 June 2025
Adjective
  • Hinton, the son of former All-Pro lineman Chris Hinton, has favorable genes.
    Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 13 June 2025
  • Flood watches are issued when conditions are favorable for flooding to notify residents to be prepared.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • Houses are made of wood and painted bright shades of red, yellow or blue.
    Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 14 June 2025
  • The dress featured white block trims against the bright blue.
    Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 14 June 2025
Adjective
  • That said, those encouraging numbers may not reflect immediate optimism about the global economy or geopolitics — aircrafts take years to deliver, and both Airbus and Boeing have a backlog of more than 8,000 and 5,000 aircrafts respectively.
    Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 20 June 2025
  • Andrew Redington/Getty Images Like most professional golfers, Thomas was highly critical of his game, but found the result encouraging, given the circumstances.
    Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • While dozens of legal challenges to DOGE and Trump administration actions make their way through the courts, Musk remained optimistic about the project's enduring legacy at his farewell press conference with Trump on May 30.
    Stephen Fowler, NPR, 16 June 2025
  • On Friday, head coach Javier Mascherano attempted to remain optimistic about his team’s chances to play a significant part in the tournament.
    Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 15 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 26 Jun. 2025.

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