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Synonym Chooser

How is the word fruitful distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of fruitful are fecund, fertile, and prolific. While all these words mean "producing or capable of producing offspring or fruit," fruitful adds to fertile and fecund the implication of desirable or useful results.

fruitful research

When is fecund a more appropriate choice than fruitful?

The words fecund and fruitful can be used in similar contexts, but fecund emphasizes abundance or rapidity in bearing fruit or offspring.

a fecund herd

In what contexts can fertile take the place of fruitful?

In some situations, the words fertile and fruitful are roughly equivalent. However, 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

When would prolific be a good substitute for fruitful?

The meanings of prolific and fruitful largely overlap; however, prolific stresses rapidity of spreading or multiplying by or as if by natural reproduction.

a prolific writer

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 fruitful The Canucks have long felt that the trade market is the more fruitful route this offseason to address their need for offensive pop. Thomas Drance, New York Times, 19 June 2025 Mutual benefits arise naturally from the simple human practice of building friendly and fruitful relationships across borders. John Fanestil, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 June 2025 The tune is likely to remain on the list for quite some time, and its success underscores a running theme for Gaga — one that has proved fruitful for her on several occasions. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025 This second location joins their original shop at 1814 Harvey St., expanding their fruitful approach to ice cream. Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for fruitful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fruitful
Adjective
  • Their investments have triggered a wave of innovation and attracted intense enthusiasm from venture capital, creating fertile ground for rapid technological evolution.
    Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
  • By the time the Leo New Moon arrives on the 24th, the second half of the week becomes fertile ground for visioning and rebirth.
    Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 20 July 2025
Adjective
  • Credible Smart Home Sustainability For years, Energy Star has helped consumers identify efficient appliances and products, but now the program faces potential elimination.
    Jennifer Castenson, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
  • Additionally, the liquid form allows for the efficient delivery of probiotics to the gut. 4.
    Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • Griffin is also one of the country’s most prolific philanthropists, having donated more than $2 billion to education, science, medicine, and the arts.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 18 July 2025
  • Exxon, a 45 percent owner and operator of the three-company consortium which has developed the prolific Stabroek Block and other areas offshore Guyana over the last decade, filed a challenge to the arrangement in March 2024.
    David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
Adjective
  • Seniors who participate in the AmeriCorps programs, for example, also are involved in different but related programs that may now be less effective because AmeriCorps dollars provided transportation or other services.
    Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 23 July 2025
  • Bonafide Health, a company dedicated to providing women with safe and highly effective symptom relief throughout their menopause journey, released its 5th Annual State of Menopause Study.
    Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • My Feelings is a rare kind of film: emotionally rich, effortlessly paced and surprisingly funny.
    Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
  • Terra-cotta Tiles Terra-cotta tiles are rich, rustic, and wonderfully versatile.
    Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • His obsession is with the innumerable recordings that have been issued in the past seventy-five years or so—a glorious panoply of changing musical taste that reflects the interplay of art and commerce in the most productive and wasteful culture the world has ever known.
    David Denby, New Yorker, 20 July 2025
  • The really good, productive players have always been that way.
    Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 18 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fruitful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fruitful. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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