PROSPECTIVE Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

prospective

adjective

Definition of prospective

as in potential

likely to be or become something at a later time The school had a luncheon for prospective students.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 prospective Because activity levels can differ by location, prospective members may want to inspect what is available nearby before upgrading. — Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026 Language gathered through interviews can help prospective buyers recognize their own experiences in your content. — Jehan Lalkaka, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026 Pop culture offers another route in, with objects whose significance often requires little introduction to a prospective buyer. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 23 Sep. 2026 The website, the main portal for prospective employees to learn about the FBI and initiate the application process, remained offline Wednesday morning. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prospective

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prospective

Adjective

Clayton also noted in the interview the task force would discuss potential legislative options that could be part of an AI framework moving forward.

— Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026
This year, Newsom signed more than 10 bills aimed at keeping young people safe from the potential harms of social media sites, artificial intelligence, addictive autoplay and more.

— Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of potential

Adjective

The South's joint chiefs said Saturday the military stepped up surveillance and vigilance for possible further launches from the North and was closely sharing information with the United States and Japan.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
As Yemen returns to a level of fighting intensity not seen since the 2022 truce, the civil war has entered a decisive phase, with several possible avenues forward.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of possible

Browse Nearby Words

prospecting

prospective

prospects

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Prospective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prospective. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of prospective

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

perseverate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes