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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 These results upend longstanding assumptions that wine was an elite beverage during the third millennium B.C.E. Like grapes on the vine, further research into the practices of wine drinking at other sites across the ancient world promises to be fruitful. Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2025 While King's career has been fruitful, she's also experienced tragedy in her personal life. Ew Staff, EW.com, 26 Apr. 2025 Meditation can be fruitful under the Aquarius moon. Usa Today, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025 Likewise, a decentralized, collaborative decision-making approach can be more fruitful than top-down single-bit control. Gregory Crawford, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fruitful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fruitful
Adjective
  • In it, 1930s Mississippi is seen as a burgeoning and fertile place where blues music is created, as characters perform in moving cars and a juke joint is thrown together for the community to enjoy.
    Dan Heching, CNN Money, 10 May 2025
  • The goal is to create a fertile, well-draining environment that supports strong root establishment.
    Debbie Wolfe, Popular Science, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • Airlines, including United, are working with the FAA to address the issues and ensure safe and efficient air travel.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 13 May 2025
  • Regular interaction expands potential deal flow and positions you as a credible and efficient buyer, capable of quickly responding when attractive opportunities arise.
    Paul Davis, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • Diamondback is the sixth-largest oil producer in the lower 48 states and the third biggest in the prolific Permian Basin, according to data from Enverus.
    Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 8 May 2025
  • The weeds’ shallow root system cannot become established between the dense, prolific roots of thriving lawn grass.
    Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • Brown accounted for four of those free-throw attempts, and the rest came from Boston’s effective bench, with Pritchard, Kornet and Kristaps Porzingis making all eight of their first-half freebies.
    Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 10 May 2025
  • About 50% of Connecticut’s Medicaid expenses in most program areas are covered through federal reimbursement, which would make the effective annual cost to the state about $137.5 million.
    Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • The Russian dressing, a thick, chunky Thousand Island, is rich enough.
    Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025
  • Avocados Avocados are rich in heart-healthy fats, and many other health-promoting nutrients.
    Lindsey DeSoto, Health, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • The opportunity to make seeds more productive, and crops more nutritious either by improving seeds or doing food fortification by adding some micronutrients in later—that’s super important work.
    Alice Park, Time, 8 May 2025
  • Extending ovarian function could help businesses retain experienced female talent during their most productive years. 2.
    Samantha Walravens, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fruitful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fruitful. Accessed 17 May. 2025.

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