prospective
adjective
pro·spec·tive
prə-ˈspek-tiv
also ˈprä-ˌspek-,
prō-ˈspek-,
prä-ˈspek-
1
: relating to or effective in the future
prospectively
adverb
Examples of prospective in a Sentence
In 2005 [Jerry] Colangelo arranged face-to-face sit-downs with every prospective national team player, to hear in their own words why they wanted to represent their country.
—
Alexander Wolff, Sports Illustrated, 28 July 2008
All too often in the post-Vietnam past—the first Gulf War, for example—the default position of the Democratic Party has been to assume that any prospective use of U.S. military power would be immoral.
—
Joe Klein, Time, 21 Aug. 2006
All of these arguments were prospective, all anticipated the role that public opinion would play in future constitutional disputes.
—
Jack N. Rakove, Original Meanings … , 1996
Recent Examples on the Web
This time, there’s a first-class version Social media reaction
Núñez Vicente’s design has gone viral on more than one occasion — with some prospective travelers cracking jokes about passing wind, while others suggest the design is a cynical ploy to cram more passengers into the cabin.
—
Francesca Street, CNN, 11 Feb. 2025
Future steel tariffs from the Trump administration should also support prospective spot sheet pricing in the near term, further benefiting the stock.
—
Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2025
However, the courtesy of using the names of all prospective guests, rather than treating them as anonymous add-ons, should not be.
—
Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2025
The company stabilizes and revitalizes apartment communities, bringing the condition and appeal up to what is currently desired by their residents as well as prospective residents.
—
Unitedpoint Capital, Kansas City Star, 9 Feb. 2025
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Word History
Etymology
see prospect entry 1
First Known Use
1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near prospective
Cite this Entry
“Prospective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prospective. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
prospective
adjective
pro·spec·tive
prə-ˈspek-tiv
also ˈprä-ˌspek-,
prō-ˈspek-,
prä-ˈspek-
1
: likely to come about
prospective benefits
2
: likely to become
a prospective buyer
Medical Definition
prospective
adjective
pro·spec·tive
prə-ˈspek-tiv
: relating to or being a study (as of the incidence of disease) that starts with the present condition of a population of individuals and follows them into the future compare retrospective
Legal Definition
prospective
adjective
pro·spec·tive
prə-ˈspek-tiv, ˈprä-ˌspek-
1
: relating to or effective in the future
a statute's prospective effect
2
: likely to come about : expected to happen
prospective inability to perform the contract
3
: likely to be or become
a prospective buyer
prospectively
adverb
More from Merriam-Webster on prospective
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for prospective
Nglish: Translation of prospective for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of prospective for Arabic Speakers
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