pertinent

adjective

per·​ti·​nent ˈpər-tə-nənt How to pronounce pertinent (audio)
ˈpərt-nənt
: having a clear decisive relevance to the matter in hand
pertinently adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for pertinent

relevant, germane, material, pertinent, apposite, applicable, apropos mean relating to or bearing upon the matter in hand.

relevant implies a traceable, significant, logical connection.

found material relevant to her case

germane may additionally imply a fitness for or appropriateness to the situation or occasion.

a point not germane to the discussion

material implies so close a relationship that it cannot be dispensed with without serious alteration of the case.

facts material to the investigation

pertinent stresses a clear and decisive relevance.

a pertinent observation

apposite suggests a felicitous relevance.

add an apposite quotation to the definition

applicable suggests the fitness of bringing a general rule or principle to bear upon a particular case.

the rule is not applicable in this case

apropos suggests being both relevant and opportune.

the quip was apropos

Examples of pertinent in a Sentence

At the dawn of the common-law court system, jurors took their places as residents of the neighborhood where the pertinent events had occurred, who were assumed to possess special knowledge of the facts and, more important, of every witness's credibility. Hiller B. Zobel, American Heritage, July/August 1995
A more pertinent question than "What am I?" is "How can I be who I am and still hack it in America?" C. Eric Lincoln, Lure and Loathing, 1993
But as my moment of fame ticks by, a more pertinent issue persists: What hath CNN wrought in the worlds of communications, of diplomacy, of politics? Peter Arnett, Washington Post, 25-31 Mar. 1991
No recurrent symbolism in the Odyssey is more pertinent than the long and deliberate stripping its hero undergoes: of his ships, of his men, of his hopes, of his clothes, even of his very skin on the cliffs of Corfu. John Fowles, Island, 1978
he impressed the jury with his concise, pertinent answers to the attorney's questions
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.
Studies reveal that in recent years, burnout among women has risen from 38% to 42% - a concern that is both pertinent and widespread. Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024 The pertinent question will be how Malone threads the needle between the two. Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 7 Dec. 2024 Probably Amazon’s goriest show, The Boys stands as a pertinent examination of the abuses of power, all wrapped in superhero drag. Matt Kamen, WIRED, 30 Nov. 2024 Unprecedented Funeral Popes often adjust the rules governing the conclave that elects their successor, but a revision of the papal funeral rites became particularly pertinent following the death of Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI on Dec. 31, 2022. Matt Robison, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pertinent 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin pertinent-, pertinens, present participle of pertinēre — see pertain

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pertinent was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near pertinent

Cite this Entry

“Pertinent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pertinent. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

pertinent

adjective
per·​ti·​nent ˈpərt-ᵊn-ənt How to pronounce pertinent (audio)
ˈpərt-nənt
: having to do with the matter being thought about or discussed : relevant
a pertinent question
pertinently adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on pertinent

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