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Synonym Chooser

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

The words auspicious and propitious are common synonyms of favorable. While all three words mean "pointing toward a happy outcome," favorable implies that the persons involved are approving or helpful or that the circumstances are advantageous.

favorable weather conditions

When is auspicious a more appropriate choice than favorable?

In some situations, the words auspicious and favorable are roughly equivalent. However, auspicious applies to something taken as a sign or omen promising success before or at the start of an event.

an auspicious beginning

When is it sensible to use propitious instead of favorable?

While in some cases nearly identical to favorable, 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 favorable Francisco has raised a hypothetical to show how the ban affects TikTok, asking the justices to imagine the Chinese government using leverage over Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' international empire to force the Washington Post to write favorable articles about China. Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2025 As far as the United States and Canada are concerned, the most favorable passages of the moon across the Pleiades during 2025 will come on Jan. 9, and again on Feb. 6 — specifically favoring the central and western US — and during the morning hours of July 20. Joe Rao, Space.com, 9 Jan. 2025 Gross margin decreased to 26.1% from 26.6% in the previous year, primarily due to unfavorable sales leverage from lower volume and less favorable product mix in the Architectural Framing Systems segment. Quartz Bot, Quartz, 7 Jan. 2025 The president-elect has long disparaged renewable energy and vowed to pursue policies favorable to the fossil fuel industry in his second term. Zack Budryk, The Hill, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for favorable 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for favorable
Adjective
  • Aura Nails Call in the good vibes, love, and positive energy this Valentine’s Day with aura nails.
    Audrey Noble, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2025
  • The Last Showgirl, which has garnered positive reviews, hits theaters Friday.
    Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The right winger is widely-regarded to be soccer's most promising young talent, and has already been garnished with the Kopa Trophy and Golden Boy award as Europe's best player under the age of 21.
    Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 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
Adjective
  • Some research finds that washing up with soap and contaminated water is beneficial too.
    Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 14 Jan. 2025
  • This proactive approach not only reduces risks but also lays a strong basis for an open, mutually beneficial relationship that minimizes complexity and maximizes long-term value.
    Appio Fragoletti, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Unfortunately, despite her best efforts, Cunanan answered correctly and clinched the win with a final score of $19,400.
    Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Even beyond that, this was probably Miller’s best game of the year.
    Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The first takeaway, then, is that Valve and Intel are collaborating to tackle this, which is encouraging.
    Jason Evangelho, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
  • While the cooler-than-expected producer price index news was encouraging, the data wasn’t viewed as important enough to settle bonds down.
    Jeff Marks, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • In the meantime, our friends at the Cut have put together a helpful guide to helping wildfire victims.
    Nate Jones, Vulture, 18 Jan. 2025
  • But even many of the people who are dealing with some degree of the disorder, end up finding ways to cope and manage by adapting helpful tips and techniques that have often been suggested by a mental health professional.
    David Oliver, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The brand’s new Fall/Winter collection features the Women’s Knitted Greta Top, which can be styled under a blazer, the lightweight Octavia Cashmere Scarf, in a bright red floral pattern.
    Nadja Sayej, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Like most at-home teeth-whitening options, teeth-whitening pens contain an active ingredient to remove stains and neutralize tones for a whiter, brighter effect.
    Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 9 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near favorable

Cite this Entry

“Favorable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/favorable. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on favorable

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