Synonym Chooser

How is the word prolific distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of prolific are fecund, fertile, and fruitful. While all these words mean "producing or capable of producing offspring or fruit," prolific stresses rapidity of spreading or multiplying by or as if by natural reproduction.

a prolific writer

When is fecund a more appropriate choice than prolific?

The meanings of fecund and prolific largely overlap; however, fecund emphasizes abundance or rapidity in bearing fruit or offspring.

a fecund herd

When is it sensible to use fertile instead of prolific?

The words fertile and prolific are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

How does the word fruitful relate to other synonyms for prolific?

Fruitful adds to fertile and fecund the implication of desirable or useful results.

fruitful research

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 prolific Thanks to Altman’s prolific dealmaking, the startup now has more than $1 trillion in financial commitments with companies including Amazon, Broadcom, Microsoft, Nvidia and Oracle over the next several years. Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025 Both Williams and his wife, Jerry, enjoyed prolific careers in Nashville. Austin Hornbostel, Nashville Tennessean, 9 Nov. 2025 Eager to be as prolific as possible, Cameron also wrote for Creem magazine, the Los Angeles Times, Playboy, and other outlets. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Nov. 2025 Created during the prolific reign of Louis XIV, the Académie Française has played a significant role in shaping French culture, preserving and updating the country’s language, grammar and usage over time. Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 8 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prolific
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prolific
Adjective
  • Reservoirs supplying Tehran and other urban centers have dropped to critically low levels, while agricultural production in the nation’s most fertile regions is collapsing, threatening food security and rural livelihoods.
    MSNBC Newsweek, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
  • For instance, the Bangladesh delta, one of the most fertile and densely populated areas in the world, is already experiencing problems, including salinity intrusion, rising sea levels and the loss of arable land.
    Pintu Kumar Mahla, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Jon Heyman of the New York Post recently projected Suárez would sign a massive five-year, $135 million deal in free agency this winter, which would almost certainly be too rich for the Phillies' liking.
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
  • The pay package for Musk, already the world's richest person, consists of 12 tranches of shares to be granted if Tesla hits certain milestones over the next decade.
    Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 11 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Prolific.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prolific. Accessed 22 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on prolific

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