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

Examples 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 months of March through May are particularly auspicious for launching projects or investing in new ventures. —

Dossé-Via Trenou, refinery29.com, 17 Dec. 2024 Starship flights began on a less auspicious note last spring. —

Rob Pegoraro, PCMAG, 13 Oct. 2024 Since that auspicious start, the choir has performed hundreds of times, including a joint performance in 1991 with a chorus from San Jose’s sister city, Okayama, Japan, and accompanying Barbara Streisand in front of 14,000 people at SAP Center in 2012. —

Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 15 Dec. 2024 The building is in an auspicious location at 647 Fifth Avenue near 52nd Street, home of the Versace brand for two decades and next door to the Cartier Fifth Avenue Mansion. —

Booth Moore, WWD, 11 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for auspicious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for auspicious

Adjective

Schmidt was the most promising addition of the bunch as a budget Oliver Ekman-Larsson replacement.

Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
While job openings aren't directly tied to the unemployment rate, an increase in open roles is a promising sign for the U.S. labor market and economy as a whole.

Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025