prosperous
6 antonyms and opposites of prosperous, grouped by meaning.
Adj — Financially successful and thriving.
Antonyms
How to use prosperous
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French prosperer, from Latin prosperare ("to cause to succeed"), from pro spere ("according to hope").
Full origin of prosperous →Frequently asked questions
What does “prosperous” mean?
The word “prosperous” means financially successful and thriving. In plain terms, doing well financially; thriving and successful.
How do you pronounce “prosperous”?
“Prosperous” is pronounced PROS-pruhs (/ˈpɹɑs.pə.ɹəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “prosperous” in a sentence?
Here is “prosperous” used in a sentence: “The town became prosperous after the factory opened.”
What is another word for “prosperous”?
Words with a similar meaning to “prosperous” include rich, well off, well-to-do, wealthy, lucky and flourishing.
What is the opposite of “prosperous”?
The opposite of “prosperous” — its antonyms — are failed, improsperous, speedless, unfortunate and unsuccessful.
What part of speech is “prosperous”?
“Prosperous” is an adjective.
Where does the word “prosperous” come from?
The word “prosperous” comes from Latin. From Old French prosperer, from Latin prosperare ("to cause to succeed"), from pro spere ("according to hope").
Is “prosperous” a common word?
“Prosperous” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between "prosperous" and "rich"?
"Prosperous" describes ongoing financial success and thriving, often suggesting a general state of growth or well-being, such as a prosperous business or nation. "Rich" simply describes having a large amount of money or wealth, without implying growth or momentum.
Can "prosperous" describe something other than money, such as a relationship or career?
Yes, "prosperous" is often used to describe a thriving, successful state more broadly, such as a prosperous career, marriage, or community. It emphasizes flourishing and favorable conditions, not strictly financial wealth.
Is "prosperous" a formal word, and where is it commonly used?
"Prosperous" has a somewhat formal, positive tone and appears often in business, economic, and ceremonial language, such as wishing someone a "happy and prosperous new year." It is less common in casual conversation than simpler words like "successful" or "well-off."