Auspicious
hardPositive toneaw-SPISH-us
adjective
Definition
Conducive to success; favorable
Memory hook
AU-SPIC-ious: ancient Romans watched birds (avis) for good omens - favorable signs ahead!
Word roots
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“The sunny weather was an auspicious start to the wedding day.”
“The merger began under auspicious circumstances.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“The sunny weather was an ______ start to the wedding day.”
Show answer
auspicious
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Auspicious is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "favorable" or "propitious" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "inauspicious".
Related GRE Words
propitious
Giving or indicating a good chance of success; favorable
advantageous
Involving or creating favorable circumstances; beneficial
conducive
Making a situation or outcome more likely or possible
favorable
Expressing approval; advantageous or beneficial
aberrant
Deviating from what is normal or expected
aberration
A departure from what is normal, usual, or expected
Master auspicious and 1,000+ GRE words
Learn through stories, practice with real GRE questions, and never forget with spaced repetition.