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Synonym Chooser

How is the word fruitful distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of fruitful are fecund, fertile, and prolific. While all these words mean "producing or capable of producing offspring or fruit," fruitful adds to fertile and fecund the implication of desirable or useful results.

fruitful research

When is fecund a more appropriate choice than fruitful?

The words fecund and fruitful can be used in similar contexts, but fecund emphasizes abundance or rapidity in bearing fruit or offspring.

a fecund herd

In what contexts can fertile take the place of fruitful?

In some situations, the words fertile and fruitful are roughly equivalent. However, fertile implies the power to reproduce in kind or to assist in reproduction and growth; applied figuratively, it suggests readiness of invention and development.

fertile soil
a fertile imagination

When would prolific be a good substitute for fruitful?

The meanings of prolific and fruitful largely overlap; however, prolific stresses rapidity of spreading or multiplying by or as if by natural reproduction.

a prolific writer

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 fruitful Despite these hopes, analysts caution that fruitful U.S.-Iran discussions may remain elusive, regardless of Tuesday's election outcome. Abbas Ghasemi, 67, noted that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has witnessed eight U.S. presidents and knows how to navigate the complexities of each administration. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024 This capital redirection and repurposing away from no longer fruitful investments is quickly accomplishing what politicians can never do. Charles Beames, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 While league commissioner Cathy Engelbert looked forward to fruitful negotiations, the players’ union leader Terri Carmichael Jackson remained steadfast on making gains for her charges. Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 23 Oct. 2024 The year 1986 proved to be fruitful on several fronts for Valenzuela. Ed Guzman, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fruitful 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fruitful
Adjective
  • In 2020, misinformation experts warned that the window between the polls closing and knowing the outcome of the election could provide fertile ground for false narratives to spread and sow doubt about the legitimacy of the election process.
    Clara Hendrickson, Detroit Free Press, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Until, that is, investors realize that a popping stock market means financial conditions are easy which is fertile ground for a return of inflation.
    Brett Owens, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Google added a faster and more energy efficient processor and upped the RAM to 16 megabytes.
    Larry Magid, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
  • Step two: Seize the moment, in between chops and chants and CBS cutaways to Taylor Swift. Step three: Have Bo Nix deliver the most efficient outing in the biggest game of his NFL career.
    Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • His brother, Richard A. Jones is a U.S. District Court judge who has presided over a number of high profile cases in his long career, including that of the state's most prolific serial killer, Gary Ridgway.
    Christine Clarridge, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
  • In a prolific career that spanned more than 70 years, Jones established himself as a behind-the-scenes force and a gifted artist in his own right, working as an arranger, composer, songwriter and performer.
    Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • While air purifiers are effective, combining them with other strategies can enhance odor elimination.
    Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
  • The company maintains a tax holiday for a subsidiary in the APAC region, which contributed to a lower effective tax rate of 13.7% for the year.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • There’s a lot to unpack from this family photo, which prominently features the world’s richest man, standing with the president-elect’s offspring and their partners and their children.
    Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
  • Creamy, rich chocolate custard is baked in a flaky, buttery pie crust.
    Amanda Holstein, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • This is the kind of productive conflict that helps make good relationships work!
    Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024
  • Having any kind of conversation on delicate or divisive issues, let alone a civil and productive one, can be a huge challenge for many of us.
    Andrea Kane, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near fruitful

Cite this Entry

“Fruitful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fruitful. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on fruitful

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