prospective

adjective

pro·​spec·​tive prə-ˈspek-tiv How to pronounce prospective (audio)
also ˈprä-ˌspek-, 
prō-ˈspek-, 
prä-ˈspek-
Synonyms of prospective
1
: relating to or effective in the future
2
a
: likely to come about : expected
the prospective benefits of this law
b
: likely to be or become
a prospective mother
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
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
When the balance of power is with shoppers, homes for sale tend to stay on the market longer, giving prospective buyers more negotiating power. — Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026 The growing use of digital channels has made communication another part of how prospective patients encounter a medical practice. — Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 Some 10 projects will be shown to prospective brand partners for possible development and production, letting companies get involved before projects are fully financed or produced. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026 Keystone then packages the footage into a highlight reel for prospective college suitors. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prospective

Word History

Etymology

see prospect entry 1

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prospective was in 1788

Rhymes for prospective

See All Rhymes for prospective

Browse Nearby Words

prospection
prospective
prospective glass
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prospective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prospective. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

prospective

adjective
pro·​spec·​tive prə-ˈspek-tiv How to pronounce prospective (audio)
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 How to pronounce prospective (audio)
: 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
prospectively
-lē How to pronounce prospective (audio)
adverb

Legal Definition

prospective

adjective
pro·​spec·​tive prə-ˈspek-tiv, ˈprä-ˌspek- How to pronounce prospective (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on prospective

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for prospective

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