prospective
adjective
pro·spec·tive
prə-ˈspek-tiv 
also ˈprä-ˌspek-,
prō-ˈspek-,
prä-ˈspek-
1
: relating to or effective in the future
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
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
Ultimately, this shift toward more nuanced benefit disclosures underscores a broader move toward transparency, customization and meaningful dialogue between employers and prospective hires.
—Cynthia Pong, Jd, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
Noem is the only prospective Trump cabinet member with a hearing on Friday.
—Erin Mansfield, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2025
Since the animals have arrived locally, the San Diego Humane Society has received more than 870 applications from prospective foster families.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2025
Third, if the vice president comes to be seen as reverting to pre-Mondale levels of status and achievement, the office may become less attractive to prospective vice-presidential candidates.
—Roy Brownell, Baltimore Sun, 18 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for prospective 
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Cynthia Pong, Jd, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
Noem is the only prospective Trump cabinet member with a hearing on Friday.
—Erin Mansfield, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2025
Since the animals have arrived locally, the San Diego Humane Society has received more than 870 applications from prospective foster families.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2025
Third, if the vice president comes to be seen as reverting to pre-Mondale levels of status and achievement, the office may become less attractive to prospective vice-presidential candidates.
—Roy Brownell, Baltimore Sun, 18 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for prospective
Dictionary Entries Near prospective
Cite this Entry
“Prospective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prospective. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prospective
adjective
pro·spec·tive
prə-ˈspek-tiv
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
: 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
Legal Definition
prospective
adjective
pro·spec·tive
prə-ˈspek-tiv, ˈprä-ˌspek-
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
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