auspicious

adjective

ȯ-ˈspi-shəs How to pronounce auspicious (audio)
Definition of auspiciousnext
1
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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 India’s busiest wedding and festive season typically runs from October to April, timed with auspicious dates and favorable weather. — CNN Money, 30 July 2026 On July 29, the sun will join forces with Jupiter in Leo, creating one of the year’s most auspicious, confidence-boosting and potentially rewarding transits. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026 Chicago, a city with an auspicious past and present of prestidigitation and legerdemain, has never before had a space for magic anything close to The Hand & The Eye. — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026 The tournament hardly got off to an auspicious start for Asia, with both China and India yet again failing to qualify for world soccer’s biggest spectacle. — Simon Chadwick, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for auspicious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for auspicious
  1. promising
  2. favorable
  3. bright
  4. encouraging
  5. optimistic
  6. propitious
Adjective
  • Transplants of muscle stem cells are a promising avenue for research, having distinct advantages over other tissues in their ability to encourage the growth of new blood vessels and limitations on rapid growth.
    — Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The goalkeeping department has probably been downgraded, considering the highly promising Trafford left, and was replaced by Geronimo Rulli, a solid backup option at 34 years of age.
    — Sam Lee, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of promising
Adjective
  • In addition, environmental conditions are quite favorable for intensification while Edouard remains over water.
    — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Officials, however, said favorable weather in the coming days could help in the battle to control the blazes.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of favorable
Adjective
  • Put the cutting in a warm place with bright, indirect light, keep the soil evenly moist, and open the bag once each day to let in fresh air.
    — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Mystery Men Throw it back to the Y2K era with this 1999 comedy starring a plethora of the era’s brightest comedic talents, including Ben Stiller, Kel Mitchell, Janeane Garofolo, and Paul Reubens.
    — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of bright
Adjective
  • The Seahawks are high on Stephens, a fifth-round rookie out of Iowa who had an encouraging preseason.
    — Andrew Destin, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Investors welcomed some encouraging signals about demand for artificial intelligence from two big tech companies, Dell and Palo Alto Networks.
    — Damian J. Troise, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of encouraging
Adjective
  • Demographic experts are cautiously optimistic about the new scheme, which appears to offer more sustained and holistic support for families.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The 192-mile electric figure is reported as CLTC, which is China's relatively optimistic test cycle.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of optimistic
Adjective
  • Max’s arrival is particularly propitious because Max is still sore from Nathan’s betrayal, so if Max can get on Joe’s good side by respecting his authority, Joe can reward him with the lead position.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The charging boom proved particularly propitious in March, as the Iran War roiled oil markets, gas prices surged and Americans started searching for EVs en masse.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
Definition of propitious

Browse Nearby Words

auspices
auspicious
auspiciously
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Cite this Entry

“Auspicious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/auspicious. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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