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 Neighboring Naper Commons already has a park in its subdivision, which project attorney Russ Whitaker thinks will also be used by prospective residents of the Towns at Naper Commons. — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 3 Oct. 2026 One prospective shopper, Sam, a 38-year-old freelance fashion designer, was drawn in first by the queue, but decided to stick it out. — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026 Due diligence by export credit agencies and prospective equity partners remains underway. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026 One bottleneck slowing down the process is Burger King’s effort to make sure that a prospective franchisee is the right fit for the chain. — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prospective

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prospective

Adjective

This means they can be launched into a rough area to find potential targets without the need for specific coordinates.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026
Majidi’s matter-of-fact style of shooting underlines the cold reality that Soulan tries to navigate, and strips away any semblance of potential didacticism.

— Kambole Campbell, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of potential

Adjective

The companies also identified industrial logistics and supply-chain applications as potential areas for future cooperation.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
Mercury in your 11th House quincunxes Saturn in your 4th, creating tension between friends, community, future plans, and what home or family actually requires from you.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of future

Adjective

Another 1 to 3 inches of rain is possible through the rest of the weekend, with localized totals exceeding 5 inches, as showers shift toward the Northeast.

— Erika Angulo, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2026
Cappu is using the market to meet distributors and other possible partners on the title, with available rights to be confirmed on a per-territory basis.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 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 11 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of prospective

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

galore

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

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

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

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

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes