propitious
adjective
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Propitious, which comes to us through Middle English from the Latin word propitius, is a synonym of favorable and auspicious. All three essentially mean "pointing toward a happy outcome," with some differences of emphasis. Favorable implies that someone or something involved in a situation is approving or helpful ("a favorable recommendation"), or that circumstances are advantageous ("favorable weather conditions"). Auspicious usually applies to a sign or omen that promises success before or at the start of an event ("an auspicious beginning"). Propitious may also apply to beginnings, but it often suggests a continuing promising condition ("propitious conditions for an alliance").
Synonyms
Examples of propitious in a Sentence
Nicholas Eberstadt, Foreign Affairs, 10 Oct. 2024
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The player who had posted such a propitious rookie season by simply playing on instinct looked lost.
—Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 2 Oct. 2024
The timing couldn’t have been more propitious with the trade deadline pending.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 31 July 2024
International pressure, particularly the U.S. policies over the preceding decade, is a key factor contributing to this propitious development.
—Jose Ignacio Hernández, Foreign Affairs, 29 July 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Propitious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/propitious. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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propitious
adjective
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