prospective
adjective
pro·spec·tive
prə-ˈspek-tiv 
also ˈprä-ˌspek-,
prō-ˈspek-,
prä-ˈspek-
1
: relating to or effective in the future
prospectively
adverb
Examples of prospective in a Sentence
In 2005 [Jerry] Colangelo arranged face-to-face sit-downs with every prospective national team player, to hear in their own words why they wanted to represent their country.
—
Alexander Wolff, Sports Illustrated, 28 July 2008
All too often in the post-Vietnam past—the first Gulf War, for example—the default position of the Democratic Party has been to assume that any prospective use of U.S. military power would be immoral.
—Joe Klein, Time, 21 Aug. 2006
All of these arguments were prospective, all anticipated the role that public opinion would play in future constitutional disputes.
—Jack N. Rakove, Original Meanings … , 1996
Alexander Wolff, Sports Illustrated, 28 July 2008
All too often in the post-Vietnam past—the first Gulf War, for example—the default position of the Democratic Party has been to assume that any prospective use of U.S. military power would be immoral.
—Joe Klein, Time, 21 Aug. 2006
All of these arguments were prospective, all anticipated the role that public opinion would play in future constitutional disputes.
—Jack N. Rakove, Original Meanings … , 1996
Recent Examples on the Web
However, prospective investors may be required to pay additional fees to the country for CBI eligibility.
—Jean Francois Harvey, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Long before media-market size became a factor in the expansion and relocation of leagues and teams, prospective newcomers were judged on the population size of their surrounding areas and conditions of existing venues.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2025
In March, homebuilders reported that the number of prospective buyers taking tours was at its lowest in 15 months.
—Andrea Riquier, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
Korn Ferry started with a list of about 45 prospective candidates.
—Skyler Swisher, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prospective
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Jean Francois Harvey, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Long before media-market size became a factor in the expansion and relocation of leagues and teams, prospective newcomers were judged on the population size of their surrounding areas and conditions of existing venues.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2025
In March, homebuilders reported that the number of prospective buyers taking tours was at its lowest in 15 months.
—Andrea Riquier, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
Korn Ferry started with a list of about 45 prospective candidates.
—Skyler Swisher, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prospective
Cite this Entry
“Prospective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prospective. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prospective
adjective
pro·spec·tive
prə-ˈspek-tiv
also ˈprä-ˌspek-,
prō-ˈspek-,
prä-ˈspek-
1
: likely to come about
prospective benefits
2
: likely to become
a prospective buyer
Medical Definition
prospective
adjective
pro·spec·tive
prə-ˈspek-tiv
: relating to or being a study (as of the incidence of disease) that starts with the present condition of a population of individuals and follows them into the future compare retrospective
Legal Definition
prospective
adjective
pro·spec·tive
prə-ˈspek-tiv, ˈprä-ˌspek-
1
: relating to or effective in the future
a statute's prospective effect
2
: likely to come about : expected to happen
prospective inability to perform the contract
3
: likely to be or become
a prospective buyer
prospectively
adverb
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