Synonym Chooser

How is the word prolific distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of prolific are fecund, fertile, and fruitful. While all these words mean "producing or capable of producing offspring or fruit," prolific stresses rapidity of spreading or multiplying by or as if by natural reproduction.

a prolific writer

When is fecund a more appropriate choice than prolific?

The meanings of fecund and prolific largely overlap; however, fecund emphasizes abundance or rapidity in bearing fruit or offspring.

a fecund herd

When is it sensible to use fertile instead of prolific?

The words fertile and prolific are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

How does the word fruitful relate to other synonyms for prolific?

Fruitful adds to fertile and fecund the implication of desirable or useful results.

fruitful research

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 prolific Jim Irsay, the longtime owner and CEO of the Indianapolis Colts and a prolific rock-and-roll collector, has died at age 65. Brittney Melton, NPR, 23 May 2025 Indiana was similarly prolific to start the first quarter, making each of its first nine field goals and scoring 20 points on its first 10 possessions, or 2.0 points per possession. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025 In a 1965 paper, the prolific mathematician Paul Erdős asked a simple question about how common sum-free sets are. Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 22 May 2025 The 38-year-old singer was nearly two decades into a prolific rock-and-roll career. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for prolific
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prolific
Adjective
  • The result is a book that covers plenty of fertile ground.
    Heller McAlpin, Christian Science Monitor, 3 June 2025
  • Marvel is a fertile breeding ground for indie filmmakers who seek to make the leap to bigger budgets and studio franchise films.
    Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 2 June 2025
Adjective
  • Non-physician educational experiences differ widely by program, geography and clinical focus, leading to a workforce rich in potential but fragmented in preparation.
    Jesse Corn, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
  • The texture of the shampoo was rich, coated the hair well, and imparted a like-new shine — thanks to the product’s rich ingredients of coconut oil, silk proteins, shea butter, and neem oil.
    Kayla Blanton, People.com, 5 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Prolific.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prolific. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on prolific

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