GERMANE Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'germane' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of germane are applicable , apposite , apropos , material , pertinent , and relevant . While all these words mean "relating to or bearing upon the matter in hand," germane may additionally imply a fitness for or appropriateness to the situation or occasion. // a point not germane to the discussion

Q: When would 'applicable' be a good substitute for 'germane'?

While the synonyms applicable and germane are close in meaning, 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

Q: When could 'apposite' be used to replace 'germane'?

Although the words apposite and germane have much in common, apposite suggests a felicitous relevance. // add an apposite quotation to the definition

Q: Where would 'apropos' be a reasonable alternative to 'germane'?

The words apropos and germane can be used in similar contexts, but apropos suggests being both relevant and opportune. // the quip was apropos

Q: When is it sensible to use 'material' instead of 'germane'?

The meanings of material and germane largely overlap; however, material implies so close a relationship that it cannot be dispensed with without serious alteration of the case. // facts material to the investigation

Q: When might 'pertinent' be a better fit than 'germane'?

In some situations, the words pertinent and germane are roughly equivalent. However, pertinent stresses a clear and decisive relevance. // a pertinent observation

Q: When can 'relevant' be used instead of 'germane'?

The synonyms relevant and germane are sometimes interchangeable, but relevant implies a traceable, significant, logical connection. // found material relevant to her case

germane

adjective

(ˌ)jər-ˈmān

Definition of germane next

as in relevant

having to do with the matter at hand my personal opinion isn't germane to our discussion of the facts of the case

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word germane different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of germane are applicable, apposite, apropos, material, pertinent, and relevant. While all these words mean "relating to or bearing upon the matter in hand," germane may additionally imply a fitness for or appropriateness to the situation or occasion.

a point not germane to the discussion

When would applicable be a good substitute for germane?

While the synonyms applicable and germane are close in meaning, 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

When could apposite be used to replace germane?

Although the words apposite and germane have much in common, apposite suggests a felicitous relevance.

add an apposite quotation to the definition

Where would apropos be a reasonable alternative to germane?

The words apropos and germane can be used in similar contexts, but apropos suggests being both relevant and opportune.

the quip was apropos

When is it sensible to use material instead of germane?

The meanings of material and germane largely overlap; however, material implies so close a relationship that it cannot be dispensed with without serious alteration of the case.

facts material to the investigation

When might pertinent be a better fit than germane?

In some situations, the words pertinent and germane are roughly equivalent. However, pertinent stresses a clear and decisive relevance.

a pertinent observation

When can relevant be used instead of germane?

The synonyms relevant and germane are sometimes interchangeable, but relevant implies a traceable, significant, logical connection.

found material relevant to her case

Examples of germane in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web Here, another originally French expression is germane—demography is destiny. —

Edward A. Wasserman, Hartford Courant, 18 June 2024 Don’t be careless with cables This advice is probably more germane to the UK and Europe, where street-side charging is much more common, although a number of US cities (like Los Angeles and Kansas City) have also deployed streetlamp AC chargers in recent years. —

Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 10 Apr. 2024 Attendees actively engaged in the exchange of perspectives and experiences germane to their respective spheres of influence. —

Gorgeous Beauty, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2024 The goals of opposing Western imperialism and reuniting territory have shaped Pyongyang’s strategy in a way that is less germane to the history of Russia and most eastern European states and yet is directly parallel to Mao’s mission in mainland China and Ho Chi Minh’s in North Vietnam. —

John Delury, Foreign Affairs, 11 June 2013 See all Example Sentences for germane