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 Goll’s position is far too amorphous to extrapolate what his allies would have attempted (though his inclusion of the arch-Dadaist Tristan Tzara was auspicious). Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025 But in comparison with those of earlier great powers, the country’s circumstances are auspicious. A. Wess Mitchell, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025 For the Padres, the start to this season has been both auspicious and reminiscent. Dennis Lin, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025 An auspicious introduction to a bold new filmmaker, Ink Wash represents a model winner of the New Directors Award. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for auspicious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for auspicious
Adjective
  • No one would dare predict that an American man is going to be lifting the Coupe des Mousquetaires June 8, but the current generation of American twenty-somethings is still taking promising baby steps in the City of Light.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 1 June 2025
  • New studies presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, or ASCO, in the last few days offer promising findings for both pharmaceutical and lifestyle interventions, including the impact of diet and exercise.
    Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 1 June 2025
Adjective
  • And to make matters even more favorable for Indiana, the Knicks looked a little worn out.
    Shakeia Taylor, New York Times, 22 May 2025
  • The pressure to deliver favorable outcomes for clients can lead to chronic stress and anxiety.
    Raquel Gomes, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • While times are tough for recent college grads, the future looks bright for those with experience-building apprenticeships - especially in some trade roles where AI isn’t a threat.
    Chris Westfall, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • For the second time time in less than two weeks, Detroit was forced to send one its brightest young starting pitchers to the injured list.
    Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025
Adjective
  • This is an encouraging sign that generative AI and large language models (LLMs) provide a potential facility for adequately performing mental health therapy.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
  • City officials say that’s a somewhat encouraging sign as the city struggles to address a yearslong lifeguard shortage — a common affliction among parks departments across the country.
    Alyce McFadden, New York Times, 25 May 2025
Adjective
  • Nobody really knows, but to be happy, the key is to be optimistic.
    The Learning Network, New York Times, 22 May 2025
  • Looking Ahead for Europe’s Innovation Potential Still, there are reasons to be optimistic.
    Ilona Limonta-Volkova, Forbes.com, 22 May 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 5 Jun. 2025.

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