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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective proper differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of proper are appropriate, apt, felicitous, fitting, fit, happy, meet, and suitable. While all these words mean "right with respect to some end, need, use, or circumstance," proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom.

proper acknowledgement

When would appropriate be a good substitute for proper?

Although the words appropriate and proper have much in common, appropriate implies eminent or distinctive fitness.

an appropriate gift

When can apt be used instead of proper?

The meanings of apt and proper largely overlap; however, apt connotes a fitness marked by nicety and discrimination.

apt quotations

When is it sensible to use felicitous instead of proper?

While in some cases nearly identical to proper, felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful.

a felicitous phrase

When is fit a more appropriate choice than proper?

In some situations, the words fit and proper are roughly equivalent. However, fit stresses adaptability and sometimes special readiness for use or action.

fit for battle

When might fitting be a better fit than proper?

The words fitting and proper can be used in similar contexts, but fitting implies harmony of mood or tone.

a fitting end

In what contexts can happy take the place of proper?

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

a happy choice of words

When could meet be used to replace proper?

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

meet payment

Where would suitable be a reasonable alternative to proper?

While the synonyms suitable and proper 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 proper Walker's 2013 accident occurred while the star was still filming Fast and Furious 7, but the filmmakers still took special care to give his character a proper sendoff. Shania Russell, EW.com, 29 June 2025 Well, even with proper context, the meaning behind Blanchett’s appearance is a matter of minor debate. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 June 2025 Putting legit, proper working suspension on this scooter would raise the price considerably. New Atlas, 28 June 2025 Hollywood studios and craftspeople may be busy agonizing over the proper role of AI’s potential within the film industry, but Chinese studios aren’t slowing down. Mathew Scott, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for proper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proper
Adjective
  • Anne Hathaway’s Lureen, all rodeo sparkle and small-town ambition, is Jack’s half-hearted refuge; her final scene is a master class in polite denial, her eyes steel behind a frosty Texas drawl.
    Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 27 June 2025
  • Fittingly, a green laser shined out into the crowd as attendees turned from polite listeners to a rowdy mosh pit, singing every word.
    Ellise Shafer, Variety, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Sign into your Spectrum account to find the correct mailing address for your area.
    Kara McGinley, USA Today, 24 June 2025
  • American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases.
    Ryley Amond, CNBC, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • On May 9, one day later, the administration sent a formal letter to every state, officially terminating the $2.75 billion grant program.
    P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 25 June 2025
  • The timing of that cease-fire was the source of some confusion, because there had been no formal agreement between Iran and Israel, just a general understanding.
    Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • District officials insist that their use of arts money has been legal and appropriate.
    Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2025
  • Localization testing helps ensure appropriate usage of region-specific currencies and symbols; attain correct display of textual content within buttons, menus or other UI elements; review adherence to local gambling regulations, such as betting limits, taxation, operational hours and more.
    Dzmitry Lubneuski, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • To begin with, bombardment is unlikely to lead to a satisfactory outcome.
    Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 21 June 2025
  • At highway cruising speed, the SUV is satisfactory.
    James Raia, Mercury News, 16 June 2025
Adjective
  • Bottom line: Even when data show that generative AI is more accurate, patients still want to talk with a human when facing complex or life-threatening decisions.
    Robert Pearl, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • Despite the vast expansion in the number of sensors, the insurance institute’s testing found, the male THOR dummy was less accurate than the current Hybrid dummies, which also had limitations.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • Nevertheless, nice to get an explanation for why Vondrousova has been invisible.
    James Hansen, New York Times, 21 June 2025
  • From my perspective, this is a nice example of Cisco’s growing emphasis on easing the customer/user experience.
    Patrick Moorhead, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • This new moon is particularly suitable for projects or processes that have to do with your well-being, your home, your family, or your emotional balance.
    Danijela Pilic, Glamour, 24 June 2025
  • Seek Professional Guidance: Consider consulting a financial advisor to understand if cryptocurrency is suitable for your financial situation.
    Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 23 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Proper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proper. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on proper

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