favorable

adjective

ˈfā-v(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce favorable (audio)
Definition of favorablenext
1
as in positive
expressing approval favorable reviews for the movie were few

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in promising
pointing toward a happy outcome favorable economic conditions for opening a new business

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in beneficial
promoting or contributing to personal or social well-being moved to a region with a milder climate in the hope that it would be more favorable to his health

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word favorable different from other adjectives like it?

The words auspicious and propitious are common synonyms of favorable. While all three words mean "pointing toward a happy outcome," favorable implies that the persons involved are approving or helpful or that the circumstances are advantageous.

favorable weather conditions

When is auspicious a more appropriate choice than favorable?

In some situations, the words auspicious and favorable are roughly equivalent. However, auspicious applies to something taken as a sign or omen promising success before or at the start of an event.

an auspicious beginning

When is it sensible to use propitious instead of favorable?

While in some cases nearly identical to favorable, 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 favorable Americans hold more favorable views of Republicans than Democrats, even as favorability remains grim across the board, according to the latest Economist/YouGov poll. — Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 3 Apr. 2025 Among them was a CNN poll that found just under two-thirds of Democratic and Democratic-leaning independent voters had a favorable view of the party. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025 The bill got a favorable 11-2 vote in the committee, and a similar bill (SPB 2510) is making its way through the Senate. — Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2025 Conditions will remain favorable for severe storms into the weekend and early next week across the Southeast and East. — Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for favorable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for favorable
  1. positive
  2. promising
  3. beneficial
  4. good
  5. encouraging
  6. helpful
  7. bright
Adjective
  • The Bombers saw positive offensive performances across the board in their victory.
    — James O'Connell, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Some positive news arrived Friday when the government reported that hiring accelerated in March, with 228,000 jobs added, though the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.2%, from 4.1%.
    — Time, Time, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of positive
Adjective
  • One of the most promising applications is workforce assistance, particularly in industries facing labor shortages, such as healthcare.
    — Melody Brue, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The bottom of the Jezero Crater – believed to have formed 3.9 billion years ago from a massive impact – is considered to be among the most promising areas on Mars to search for evidence of ancient life.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of promising
Adjective
  • Though fluoride is seen as beneficial by medical experts, its use in drinking water has sparked a debate ignited by Kennedy, who has been a vocal opponent of fluoride use.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2025
  • In theory, moving some greater amount of electronics manufacturing to U.S. soil could be a beneficial strategy.
    — Damon Beres, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of beneficial
Adjective
  • After a week full of monstrous swings, the S&P 500 posted its best weekly performance since November 23, while the Nasdaq saw its best week since November 2022, according to the financial data firm FactSet.
    — Anne Marie Drummond Lee, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Shorts are the only categories whose winners are ineligible for best picture, acting, screenplay or any other major Oscar, due to their length.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of good
Adjective
  • But what was encouraging about the Sabres’ win is that a few young players who could be important next season stepped up.
    — Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Despite their life-altering, Chelsea provided an encouraging update just before the start of the 2025 MLB season this week, sharing that Max has seen incredible recovery in the nine months since he was first diagnosed.
    — Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of encouraging
Adjective
  • This can be helpful for disputing charges and clearing your record.
    — Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The ability to easily reuse notes is more helpful than the ability to catalogue and archive memos.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of helpful
Adjective
  • Being leaders at heart who pave their own path, a Sagittarius may be intrigued by the allure of retro decor's bright colors and funky designs.
    — Isabella Milano, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Further rate cuts in question With expectations of higher inflation and slower growth, the Federal Reserve is likely to continue its pause on interest rate cuts and shine a brighter spotlight on Friday's key monthly jobs data, some experts said.
    — Medora Lee, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of bright

Browse Nearby Words

favor
favorable
favorably
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Favorable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/favorable. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on favorable

Nglish: Translation of favorable for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See More

Popular

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a game of hangman on lined paper
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All