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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 That latter sentiment is hammered home by a scene with Charlie and his father, who seem to have a strained relationship and who similarly suggests that Charlie’s trading hasn’t been a fruitful endeavor. Tom Smyth, Vulture, 11 June 2025 Other early successes My wife and I have had some fruitful conversations with Alexa+. Mike Feibus, USA Today, 7 June 2025 Both require partners to get along with each other, learn how to manage stress and tough times, and hope for a successful and fruitful future. Kate Vitasek, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025 The Gordion site has proved fruitful for archeologists for 75 years, since Penn Museum began leading excavations there in 1950. Greta Cross, USA Today, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for fruitful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fruitful
Adjective
  • So the human quest for fertilizer—substances to make the soil fertile—followed fast on the heels of agriculture itself.
    Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 29 June 2025
  • In the Veneto region, vineyards stretch across gravelly river plains and fertile plains near the Adriatic Sea.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • Without an accountant on staff, one of the most efficient ways to handle these responsibilities is by using accounting software.
    Mia Taylor, CNBC, 27 June 2025
  • Today's dishwashers are much more efficient, using just 3 to 4 gallons of water per load.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • Written by prolific children’s author Millicent E. Selsam, the book chronicles the process of animal identification, showing children how ordinary places can be sites of scientific observation.
    Jessica George, JSTOR Daily, 25 June 2025
  • However, the prolific public commentator is one of China's best-know propagandists and his posts credibly capture part of the mood in the country.
    John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • Dependable, uninterrupted and effective foreign aid is critical to the well-being of millions of children.
    UNICEF USA, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • Are commercial grout cleaners more effective than DIY methods?
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • The comparatively negligible impact of the billionaire's wedding bill on his total wealth highlights the vast and growing gap between the world's richest individuals and the average American worker.
    Daniel Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
  • Established in 1893, the thick of the Gilded Age, Montford boasts a rich tapestry of architectural styles, featuring everything from grand Victorian homes to intricate Arts and Crafts designs, many of which are now bed and breakfasts.
    Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • Simply put, Queen has been wildly productive at every stage of his career.
    Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 26 June 2025
  • And the pace is intense— though not always productive or efficient.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fruitful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fruitful. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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