prospective

adjective

pro·​spec·​tive prə-ˈspek-tiv How to pronounce prospective (audio)
 also  ˈprä-ˌspek-,
prō-ˈspek-,
prä-ˈspek-
1
: relating to or effective in the future
2
a
: likely to come about : expected
the prospective benefits of this law
b
: likely to be or become
a prospective mother
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
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.
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 See all Example Sentences for prospective 

Word History

Etymology

see prospect entry 1

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prospective was in 1788

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 How to pronounce prospective (audio)
 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 How to pronounce prospective (audio)
: 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
prospectively adverb

Legal Definition

prospective

adjective
pro·​spec·​tive prə-ˈspek-tiv, ˈprä-ˌspek- How to pronounce prospective (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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