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Synonym Chooser

How is the word fruitful distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of fruitful are fecund, fertile, and prolific. While all these words mean "producing or capable of producing offspring or fruit," fruitful adds to fertile and fecund the implication of desirable or useful results.

fruitful research

When is fecund a more appropriate choice than fruitful?

The words fecund and fruitful can be used in similar contexts, but fecund emphasizes abundance or rapidity in bearing fruit or offspring.

a fecund herd

In what contexts can fertile take the place of fruitful?

In some situations, the words fertile and fruitful are roughly equivalent. However, fertile implies the power to reproduce in kind or to assist in reproduction and growth; applied figuratively, it suggests readiness of invention and development.

fertile soil
a fertile imagination

When would prolific be a good substitute for fruitful?

The meanings of prolific and fruitful largely overlap; however, prolific stresses rapidity of spreading or multiplying by or as if by natural reproduction.

a prolific writer

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 fruitful And no longevity-claiming therapy is considered fruitful without sound research that confirms efficacy after following a diverse cohort of humans for decades to see if the therapy is associated with extended life or staving off chronic disease. Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 5 Sep. 2025 It’s been a fruitful summer for King Princess. Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2025 That’s particularly fruitful as long as the cap continues to grow. Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 4 Sep. 2025 Establishing team norms that include speaking from one’s own experience and beginning with inquiry instead of scrutiny can help encourage fruitful dialogue. Colleen Tolan, The Conversation, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fruitful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fruitful
Adjective
  • And that could mean fertile hunting ground for the franchising industry.
    Rob Lancit, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Combined, these economic and political pressures created fertile ground for social mobilization.
    Nir Kshetri, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This makes the AirLight Pro more efficient (less heat is lost to the air), less damaging (not as much heat is needed to dry your hair), and seriously speedy.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Japan lit the spark in 1964 with the iconic Shinkansen bullet trains, which showed the world that fast, safe, and efficient rail travel was possible.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Even the prolific scientist and inventor Benjamin Franklin, who would play a key role in both the American Revolution and the foundation of the new republic, took time out of a diplomatic trip to England to visit the intelligent rector.
    Big Think, Big Think, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Under Richardson, a 41-year-old former outfielder who stole 331 bases in the minors, the Mets are one of MLB’s most prolific base-stealing teams.
    Will Sammon, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • By the summer of 2022, systems like the Bayraktar TB2 became less effective as air defenses increased and commanders began spreading their forces apart.
    Joseph Nepomuceno, The Washington Examiner, 13 Sep. 2025
  • His teammate, quarterback Wyatt Nucci, was equally effective.
    Martin Henderson, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Eating a wide variety of nutrient-rich foods helps maintain a balanced gut microbiome.
    Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Niacinamide, which is a form of Vitamin B3, is rich in antioxidants that help combat oily and sun-damaged skin, according to the brand.
    Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The Phillies have discovered a productive unit by cutting their most expensive outfielder’s playing time and rallying around three guys who are probably still platoon players but are making the most of every chance.
    Matt Gelb, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
  • As for jobs in programming, a field that’s already faced changes thanks to the new tech, Altman noted that AI tools have made coders far more productive, but the long-term impact is still unclear.
    Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fruitful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fruitful. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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