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appropriate

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective appropriate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of appropriate are apt, felicitous, fitting, fit, happy, meet, proper, and suitable. While all these words mean "right with respect to some end, need, use, or circumstance," appropriate implies eminent or distinctive fitness.

an appropriate gift

In what contexts can apt take the place of appropriate?

In some situations, the words apt and appropriate are roughly equivalent. However, apt connotes a fitness marked by nicety and discrimination.

apt quotations

When would felicitous be a good substitute for appropriate?

The synonyms felicitous and appropriate are sometimes interchangeable, but felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful.

a felicitous phrase

When might fit be a better fit than appropriate?

The words fit and appropriate can be used in similar contexts, but fit stresses adaptability and sometimes special readiness for use or action.

fit for battle

When could fitting be used to replace appropriate?

Although the words fitting and appropriate have much in common, fitting implies harmony of mood or tone.

a fitting end

Where would happy be a reasonable alternative to appropriate?

The meanings of happy and appropriate largely overlap; however, happy suggests what is effectively or successfully appropriate.

a happy choice of words

When is meet a more appropriate choice than appropriate?

While in some cases nearly identical to appropriate, meet suggests a just proportioning.

meet payment

When is it sensible to use proper instead of appropriate?

The words proper and appropriate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom.

proper acknowledgement

When can suitable be used instead of appropriate?

While the synonyms suitable and appropriate are close in meaning, suitable implies an answering to requirements or demands.

clothes suitable for camping

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 appropriate
Adjective
Fabrics like linens and cotton could be appropriate at this event as well. Shelby Wax, Vogue, 29 Mar. 2025 Relatives and friends sing dozens of traditional songs, and special dancers accompany her at appropriate times. Alejandra Rubio, NPR, 29 Mar. 2025
Verb
The agency operates Voice of America and distributes money appropriated by Congress to nonprofit international networks, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. David Folkenflik, NPR, 26 Mar. 2025 Of course there’s the occasional pondering of ethics, what with appropriating the corpse and all. Frank Rizzo, Variety, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for appropriate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appropriate
Adjective
  • Securities, investment products, other financial products or strategies discussed herein may not be suitable for all investors.
    Katie Stockton, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2025
  • This content is not, nor is intended to be, trading or investment advice or a recommendation that any investment product or strategy is suitable for any person. Follow me on Twitter.
    JJ Kinahan, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Documents show police seized the following items from Kohberger that night: four medical-style gloves, a white T-shirt, a Champion sweatshirt, a pair of size 13 Nike shoes, and black shorts, boxers and socks, all from Under Armour.
    Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Late last year, a U.K. court ruled that police could seize $3.3 million worth of frozen assets from the brothers to cover years of unpaid taxes.
    CBS News, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Carla O’Brien, a Pennsylvania mother and wife of a Pittsburgh Police lieutenant, is accused of stealing $147,408 from the Fox Chapel Baseball Softball Association (FCABSA) for personal use during her time as treasurer, according to the Bridgeville Signal Item and other area outlets.
    Bailey Richards, People.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • The speedster can take extra bases on hits or steal them after reaching.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • However, a movie can’t be a hit at the international box office without a proper theatrical release internationally.
    Simon Thompson, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Many complainants completely missed what critics said was the point of the show, which was to highlight the struggle of Black artists to achieve proper representation while seeing their art, talent, and culture appropriated by others.
    David Gilbert, Wired News, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Investigators had confiscated more than 335 pounds of meth, nearly 9 pounds of heroin, more than 1,500 fentanyl pills and more than $150,000 during the years-long operation before Wednesday’s seizures.
    Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • But sneaking sausage is tame compared to these strange items confiscated by TSA.
    Lanee Lee, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Katie March, the Democratic legislative staffer who swiped in the activist had her security clearances stripped and faced disciplinary action.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, TIME, 24 Mar. 2025
  • Owen would be excited about the prospect of college kids running around Grey Sloan swiping stuff for a scavenger hunt?
    Claire Franken, TVLine, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • This feels fitting for a company that aims to make people roll around with raucous laughter.
    Ollie Barder, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Even more fitting is the sustainable aspect of the collection, which draws awareness to dwindling marine life.
    Violet Goldstone, WWD, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Urban Roots was the only California brewery to grab a spot on USA Today’s list of the best brewpubs in the United States.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Perhaps Woodley and Bravo will cozy up in L.A. next, grab a burrito and head over to Leo Carrillo.
    Amy Hubbard, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Appropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appropriate. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

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