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suitable

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adjective

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective suitable differ from other similar words?

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

clothes suitable for camping

In what contexts can appropriate take the place of suitable?

The meanings of appropriate and suitable largely overlap; however, appropriate implies eminent or distinctive fitness.

an appropriate gift

Where would apt be a reasonable alternative to suitable?

The synonyms apt and suitable are sometimes interchangeable, but apt connotes a fitness marked by nicety and discrimination.

apt quotations

When could felicitous be used to replace suitable?

In some situations, the words felicitous and suitable are roughly equivalent. However, felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful.

a felicitous phrase

When is fit a more appropriate choice than suitable?

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

fit for battle

When would fitting be a good substitute for suitable?

While the synonyms fitting and suitable are close in meaning, fitting implies harmony of mood or tone.

a fitting end

When might happy be a better fit than suitable?

The words happy and suitable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, happy suggests what is effectively or successfully appropriate.

a happy choice of words

When is it sensible to use meet instead of suitable?

The words meet and suitable can be used in similar contexts, but meet suggests a just proportioning.

meet payment

When can proper be used instead of suitable?

Although the words proper and suitable have much in common, proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom.

proper acknowledgement

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 suitability
Adjective
Golden laughed when asked about Martin’s chatter, and the read-between-the-lines answer was clear: Not much of what Martin says is suitable for print (or work). Lindsay Schnell, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025 Influencers' endorsements often prioritize trends, social engagement and popularity over scientific evidence ... and blanket statements that may not be suitable for everyone. Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025 Securities, investment products, other financial products or strategies discussed herein may not be suitable for all investors. Katie Stockton, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2025 Volunteers will be on hand to ensure that the waste is suitable for composting and to provide guidance on composting practices. Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for suitability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suitability
Adjective
  • Despite being just as qualified as their male counterparts, women are significantly less likely to compete at work—whether that means applying for executive roles, asking for promotions, or negotiating higher pay.
    Maggie McGrath, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The United States thrives on innovation, diversity, and qualified people to advance its economic engine.
    William Jones, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The LLMs also recommended mental health assessments to these patients approximately six to seven times more often than what the validating physicians deemed appropriate and more than twice as often as the control group.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
  • At the same time, have the appropriate confidence in you and your support circle to deal with whatever life throws your way.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • After a week full of monstrous swings, the S&P 500 posted its best weekly performance since November 23, while the Nasdaq saw its best week since November 2022, according to the financial data firm FactSet.
    Anne Marie Drummond Lee, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Shorts are the only categories whose winners are ineligible for best picture, acting, screenplay or any other major Oscar, due to their length.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The whispers of slimmer fitting silhouettes have been swirling on the runways: Indie sleaze-leaning skinny jeans at McQueen and Balenciaga, to the more Parisian chic straight leg and cropped trousers of Chanel, while Boss and Marni herald closer fit capris as a perfect springtime piece.
    Paulina Berges, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2025
  • There was something fitting about those four, from three different regions of Canada, serving as the faces of the game and its eras.
    James Mirtle, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Both brands of course are staples of Hollywood fashion, outfitting stars on red carpets, debuting new pieces at fashion shows and leveraging the fame and fortune of the entertainment business to propel their own cultural relevance around the globe.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • His arrival sent shockwaves through collegiate sports, bringing unprecedented attention to a program that had struggled for relevance.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • According to Amazon, Nova Act is capable of booking trips, completing online purchases and managing calendars and to-do lists.
    Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Her trust in the public’s intelligence—her belief that people are capable of engaging with complexity—is rare and deeply meaningful.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • By advocating for proper funding, schools will be able to take innovative approaches to increasing literacy rates, as well as seeing gains in math.
    Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Just cut the tubing to the proper length and wrap it around the cables.
    Clint Davis, People.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Rather than focusing on the validity of Trump's executive action, the Justice Department argued that a judge in one part of the country shouldn't be able to block actions nationally.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The manipulation of the Death Master File itself has obliterated its validity as a data source for financial and commercial institutions.
    Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Suitability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suitability. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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