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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

Examples 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 suitable The restaurant seats more than 150 guests in a number of salons and for this reason is also suitable for the organization of events. Andrea Onate, WWD, 5 Dec. 2024 The revenue from those fees are designated to fund efforts to acquire and manage suitable habitat for the Joshua trees. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2024 The water-marbling paint set is suitable for kids of all ages and adults. Nora Colomer, Fox News, 3 Dec. 2024 Learn what those are below, along with quality sources of vitamin C. Dietary supplements are minimally regulated by the FDA and may or may not be suitable for you. Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Health, 3 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for suitable 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suitable
Adjective
  • The survey by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research revealed that a majority of adults are not confident in Trump's ability to fill key positions with qualified candidates, despite his promises to shake up Washington.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Therefore, the state court concluded, the charity is not qualified to be exempt from state unemployment taxes as a religious institution.
    Nina Totenberg, NPR, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Leaders must assess whether a decision is strategic, tactical, or operational to determine the appropriate level of involvement.
    Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
  • What's an appropriate way teachers and adults can be involved? All eligible contest entries must be written, recorded and produced by students.
    Steve Drummond, NPR, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Joe Buscaglia, Bills beat writer Rams survive Allen’s best ‘hero ball’ Throughout the first half, the Rams’ defense (and Buffalo’s game plan) made Allen look mortal.
    Tim Graham, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Plus, all of the pup's best and (hilariously worst) moments on set.
    Lauren Huff, EW.com, 8 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • In matters of style, attendees opted to wear pieces that was fitting for the setting.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 6 Dec. 2024
  • In astrology, Neptune is the planet of dreams, illusions and spirituality, which is naturally fitting as Pisces’ modern ruler.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The Philippines' Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported that the eruption triggered a pyroclastic density current—a scorching flow of ash, debris, and rocks capable of obliterating everything in its path.
    Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
  • Acknowledge that women might be capable of and interested in thinking about politics.
    Chris Vognar, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Not long after Friday Night Lights dropped, the rapper finally moved from mixtapes to proper albums, and he’s been a chart-topper ever since.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
  • Ranging from dark rom-coms to monster movies, Criterion is adding some proper deep cuts, as well as 4K restorations of two films that are already part of the collection.
    Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 14 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Acevedo’s attorney Gabrielle Sansonetti then argued strenuously that Acevedo has been diagnosed with dementia and is not competent to testify reliably.
    Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Still, the state supreme court this month ruled his attorneys had failed to prove that anything has changed since the inmate was deemed competent.
    Dakin Andone, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Try slouchy or slim-fit designs tucked under midi hemlines, from skirts to dresses, and wider shafts with fitted or straight-leg jeans tucked in.
    Laura Lajiness Kaupke, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2024
  • Play with proportion by pairing it with a fitted miniskirt, or give it a baggy-on-baggy look with wide-leg jeans.
    Jamie Allison Sanders, Peoplemag, 26 Sep. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near suitable

Cite this Entry

“Suitable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suitable. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on suitable

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