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 Repeatedly calling out current or former employers, however, may cause prospective employers to question your judgment and discretion. — Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026 The first involved an impermissible contact with the family of a prospective recruit at a restaurant in 2019, which the NCAA’s complex case unit classified as a Level II violation. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 25 Aug. 2026 According to one source with direct knowledge of the matter, representatives from a prospective buyer and the union have already talked about the possibility of sizing down in the food and beverage positions. — Noah Shachtman, Vanity Fair, 25 Aug. 2026 Data for prospective studies is collected in real time, while retrospective studies look back at medical records. — Amy Yurkanin, ProPublica, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prospective

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prospective

Adjective

The two sides will further explore potential opportunities for research, testing, demonstration, and commercial deployment of the technology.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 25 Aug. 2026
In March, the US listed the measure as a potential trade barrier in its trade estimate report.

— Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of potential

Adjective

The Property Masters Guild aims to highlight and elevate the craft of the Property Master by raising awareness, fostering collaboration among craft artisans, educating its members and inspiring future generations of Property Masters.

— Isabelle Farina, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
The Saudi bourse launched its first derivatives, which investors use to hedge exposures or speculate on future stock moves, in 2020, but trading activity never really took off.

— Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of future

Adjective

Choose one repeatable step, book it into your calendar, and let consistency make the plan more possible.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
Lawmakers in Canada, in an effort to be diplomatic, had rescinded that Online Streaming Act to get more favorable terms on a possible cross-border trade and tariffs deal.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 24 Aug. 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 29 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of prospective

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

kith

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

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

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 28

Why do we say 'break a leg'?

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes