Synonym Chooser

How is the word prolific distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of prolific are fecund, fertile, and fruitful. While all these words mean "producing or capable of producing offspring or fruit," prolific stresses rapidity of spreading or multiplying by or as if by natural reproduction.

a prolific writer

When is fecund a more appropriate choice than prolific?

The meanings of fecund and prolific largely overlap; however, fecund emphasizes abundance or rapidity in bearing fruit or offspring.

a fecund herd

When is it sensible to use fertile instead of prolific?

The words fertile and prolific are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

How does the word fruitful relate to other synonyms for prolific?

Fruitful adds to fertile and fecund the implication of desirable or useful results.

fruitful research

Examples of prolific in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Her prolific career boasts more than 230 credits, including a brief appearance in Three Amigos! Steven Thrash, EW.com, 19 Oct. 2024 Chinese parasol tree can be a prolific seeder and can send up sprouts. Sheila Yount, arkansasonline.com, 18 Oct. 2024 Davis had a prolific career after he was selected with the No. 3 overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets in the 1999 NBA Draft. Dj Siddiqi, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024 Sexism was not part of the culture when this prolific serial killer managed to elude authorities for close to a dozen years. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for prolific 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prolific.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Thesaurus Entries Near prolific

Cite this Entry

“Prolific.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prolific. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on prolific

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