AUSPICIOUS Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'auspicious' different from other adjectives like it?

The words favorable and propitious are common synonyms of auspicious . While all three words mean "pointing toward a happy outcome," auspicious applies to something taken as a sign or omen promising success before or at the start of an event. // an auspicious beginning

Q: In what contexts can 'favorable' take the place of 'auspicious'?

In some situations, the words favorable and auspicious are roughly equivalent. However, favorable implies that the persons involved are approving or helpful or that the circumstances are advantageous. // favorable weather conditions

Q: When would 'propitious' be a good substitute for 'auspicious'?

The synonyms propitious and auspicious are sometimes interchangeable, but propitious may also apply to beginnings but often implies a continuing favorable condition. // a propitious time for starting a business

auspicious

adjective

ȯ-ˈspi-shəs

Definition of auspicious next

as in promising

having qualities which inspire hope told him she couldn't dance with him just then, but her auspicious smile encouraged him to ask again later

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in favorable

pointing toward a happy outcome began the season with an auspicious win against their strongest football rival

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word auspicious different from other adjectives like it?

The words favorable and propitious are common synonyms of auspicious. While all three words mean "pointing toward a happy outcome," auspicious applies to something taken as a sign or omen promising success before or at the start of an event.

an auspicious beginning

In what contexts can favorable take the place of auspicious?

In some situations, the words favorable and auspicious are roughly equivalent. However, favorable implies that the persons involved are approving or helpful or that the circumstances are advantageous.

favorable weather conditions

When would propitious be a good substitute for auspicious?

The synonyms propitious and auspicious are sometimes interchangeable, but propitious may also apply to beginnings but often implies a continuing favorable condition.

a propitious time for starting a business

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 auspicious The settlement comes at an auspicious time for Mr. Giuliani. —

Stefanos Chen, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025 The streaming giant unveiled its lineup during the auspicious Pongal and Sankranti festivals, showcasing a mix of action blockbusters, thrillers, and drama that will hit theaters before making their streaming debut. —

Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Jan. 2025 For an auspicious start to the next 12 months, why not give one of the New Year’s Eve superstitions ahead a whirl? —

Gia Yetikyel, Vogue, 21 Dec. 2024 The wedding ceremony started around 10 p.m., to ensure that the bride and groom would become wife and husband at the auspicious time of 11:40 p.m., chosen according to their birth charts. —

Valeriya Safronova, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for auspicious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for auspicious

Adjective

Chop Robinson came on to seem like a promising pick moving forward.

— Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2025
The case attracted international attention at the time not only because the victim — a promising artistic soul with several short films already to his name — was the child of a celebrity, but because the driver was apparently famous as well.

— Peter Debruge, Variety, 20 Jan. 2025