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Synonym Chooser

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

The words auspicious and propitious are common synonyms of favorable. While all three words mean "pointing toward a happy outcome," favorable implies that the persons involved are approving or helpful or that the circumstances are advantageous.

favorable weather conditions

When is auspicious a more appropriate choice than favorable?

In some situations, the words auspicious and favorable are roughly equivalent. However, auspicious applies to something taken as a sign or omen promising success before or at the start of an event.

an auspicious beginning

When is it sensible to use propitious instead of favorable?

While in some cases nearly identical to favorable, 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 favorable Select the ideal time: If possible, move strenuous activities to early morning or evening for more favorable conditions. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2025 The company said its shots had been administered to over a billion people, including kids, showing favorable safety data. Paula Cohen, CBS News, 20 May 2025 Manufacturers The bill revives several favorable tax rules for businesses, including bonus depreciation for the cost of production upgrades and a research and development tax break, winning the endorsement of the National Association of Manufacturers. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 15 May 2025 What often occurs is that teams with favorable odds to land the top pick ultimately end up settling for a later selection within the top 10. Mark Lasota, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for favorable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for favorable
Adjective
  • This is what the SAP Business Suite offers. SAP Business Data Cloud Klein and Alam also emphasized the importance of the launch of SAP Business Data Cloud in February and its positive reception from customers and partners.
    Paul Taylor, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • Margaret had a very positive reaction to my suggestion that Harold Pinter would be the ideal screenwriter.
    Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • These three forces coming together certainly bodes a promising outcome for this venture.
    Dr. Sai Balasubramanian, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • The idea the experience sparks — a titillating rendezvous with the naked man at the bottom of her sake glass, Jane would never — is enough to kickstart her writing, at least to spit out some very promising pages.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • Note that the Court did say the amendment power could not alter beneficial interests in the trust.
    Martin Shenkman, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
  • Based on these findings, Ahmed and Dr. Jeffrey Gordon from the Washington University at St. Louis developed a treatment that incorporates beneficial gut bugs that could be easily dispensed into food products by local producers.
    Charlotte Hu, Time, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • The film topped Entertainment Weekly's 2022 list of Tom Cruise-starring projects ranked by grade, and came in just behind Born on the Fourth of July as containing Cruise's all-time best screen performance.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 19 May 2025
  • Instead, eating and preparing them may simply entail extra care and adherence to best food safety practices.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • More than 100 teens have stopped by the Anaheim center, and — this is encouraging — 17 of them have made a return visit.
    Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2025
  • Those price drops are encouraging and should help families who are hurting from the high cost of living.
    Matt Egan, CNN Money, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • Tips for Making Homemade Strawberry Shortcake Keep these helpful tips in mind when making homemade strawberry shortcakes.
    Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 May 2025
  • Valuation, famously, isn’t a helpful tactical input and multiples rarely come under severe attack when the Fed isn’t tightening, or recession isn’t nigh.
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • But for those with the skill and will to change theirs, the weather looks much brighter.
    John Readman, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • But when done right, the whole room can seem brighter and more spacious.
    Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 21 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Favorable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/favorable. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on favorable

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