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 As rates rise, that can also lead prospective home shoppers to delay buying. — ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026 During the recruiting process, college coaches and recruiters in Power Four football and Major Division I basketball communicate less with prospective athletes than ever before. — Chris Corr, Sportico.com, 17 Sep. 2026 Males perform complex mating flights in the late summer months and into fall (August through October) which often involve intercepting prospective partners mid-air. — Sean Donnelly, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2026 Those prices sparked an online debate about whether prospective customers should visit the restaurant. — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prospective

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prospective

Adjective

The Chicago Teachers Union pushed to be part of the program anyway, arguing every dollar would help stave off potential layoffs or program cuts.

— A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
In each case, the contracts were built off of what would stand as less than mid-level money, with both having higher potential upside.

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of potential

Adjective

Furthermore, similar efforts to advance heat protections in Springfield have stalled, with a heat protection bill getting sent back to the Illinois House Committee on Rules, leaving its future uncertain.

— Maria Hadden, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
Hogan similarly asked jurors to disregard Flores’ request to be compensated for the value of future gifts that Muderrig might have purchased for her.

— Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of future

Adjective

As this is not always possible, there can be competition among rainmakers trying to discredit each other, said 30-year-old Kilindon Simiyu, another of the village's rainmakers.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
The sessions are made possible through a partnership between Alpert JFS, the city of Lake Worth Beach, Drug Abuse Foundation, and the Recovery Community HUB of Riviera Beach.

— Courtney Marx, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 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 26 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of prospective

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

confabulate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 25

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes