fitting 1 of 2

Definition of fittingnext

fitting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of fit
1
as in befitting
archaic to be fitting or proper we hardly know them, so for Christmas a simple card will fit

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
4
5
as in accommodating
to make or have room for we can fit you in the booth if the rest of us squeeze closer together

Synonyms & Similar Words

6

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fitting differ from other similar words?

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

a fitting end

When would appropriate be a good substitute for fitting?

While the synonyms appropriate and fitting are close in meaning, appropriate implies eminent or distinctive fitness.

an appropriate gift

When is it sensible to use apt instead of fitting?

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

apt quotations

When might felicitous be a better fit than fitting?

The words felicitous and fitting are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful.

a felicitous phrase

When could fit be used to replace fitting?

While in some cases nearly identical to fitting, fit stresses adaptability and sometimes special readiness for use or action.

fit for battle

Where would happy be a reasonable alternative to fitting?

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

a happy choice of words

In what contexts can meet take the place of fitting?

The synonyms meet and fitting are sometimes interchangeable, but meet suggests a just proportioning.

meet payment

When is proper a more appropriate choice than fitting?

The words proper and fitting can be used in similar contexts, but proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom.

proper acknowledgement

When can suitable be used instead of fitting?

Although the words suitable and fitting have much in common, 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 fitting
Adjective
Rain washed out qualifying Saturday, and the gray, overcast sky served as a fitting background for the somber mood enveloping Charlotte Motor Speedway and its 1½-mile track. Steve Reed, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026 Be sure the lid is tight-fitting to keep insects away and a perfect size for your family. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 24 May 2026
Verb
For the outing, Swift wore a black tank top with sparkly neckline details paired with loose-fitting jeans, heels and a dark jacket. ABC News, 24 May 2026 Each blip from his Korg MS-20 synthesizer resolves like an individual pixel on a rudimentary PC monitor, fitting for a track that dropped at the dawn of mass peer-to-peer file sharing. Walden Green, Pitchfork, 23 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for fitting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fitting
Adjective
  • The days of that being a suitable workaround might be in the rearview mirror.
    Antonio Morales, New York Times, 28 May 2026
  • When sediment flow is disrupted, riverbeds can be simplified and less suitable for spawning, while altered temperatures and flow reduce habitat diversity.
    Radina Gigova, CNN Money, 27 May 2026
Verb
  • As befitting someone who was born in Greece and then moved to France as a boy, Perakis-Valat’s approach to beauty is democratic.
    James Manso, Footwear News, 26 May 2026
  • Hindley has raced aggressively so far, befitting a man whose contract is up this season.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 25 May 2026
Verb
  • In a corresponding move, the Dolphins also waived linebacker and safety Jordan Colbert.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 2 June 2026
  • For example, clinical trials demonstrate weight loss of 15-20% or more, with corresponding improvements in cardiovascular outcomes, kidney function and metabolic health.
    Karen R. Studer, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2026
Verb
  • The system delivers millimeter-level force-control accuracy, automatically adjusting applied force according to task requirements and material characteristics.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 2 June 2026
  • At its core, ThermoShift is basically a rectangular insulated panel with zippers, buckles and drawstrings, and all of its configurations are achieved by adjusting those components.
    Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 2 June 2026
Verb
  • The family had been preparing to celebrate his centennial on June 10.
    Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026
  • Auditability is not optional, especially for any company subject to SOX or preparing for an IPO.
    Mike Whitmire, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Verb
  • The outdoor living areas are just as accommodating, with a roomy sectional, pool loungers, and lots of bar seating to make the patio a place to gather and enjoy a full meal or quick drink.
    Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 30 May 2026
  • Teachers took on a hybrid role, instructing in their classrooms while also accommodating the online learners.
    Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Adjective
  • Sitting at home with his wife and children, Wildmon tried to find something appropriate for his family to watch on TV.
    Isaac Butler, New Yorker, 30 May 2026
  • Roberts' defense asserted in its May 22 sentencing brief, unsealed Wednesday, that probation rather than prison time would be appropriate.
    Kyle Werner, USA Today, 30 May 2026
Verb
  • Acting as an easy alternative to trousers, the skirt instantly softens tailoring and lends a more undone, modern feel to suiting.
    Lauren Fisher, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
  • Design can help with that, starting with accessories that keep your brush head far from the orange grime that lines the sink while simply suiting your bathroom’s style.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 23 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fitting. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.

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