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Apposite and opposite sound so much alike that you would expect them to have a common ancestor—and they do: the Latin verb pōnere, which means "to place, set.” The prefixes that we see in the pair, ap- and op-, specify the kind of placement. Apposite is from appōnere, meaning “to place near,” and opposite is from oppōnere, one meaning of which is "to place (over or against).” Opposite is of course the far more common word, but apposite is useful too and is, ahem, apposite in descriptions of what is very appropriate or suitable for something, as in “an apposite comment.”
Synonyms
relevant, germane, material, pertinent, apposite, applicable, apropos mean relating to or bearing upon the matter in hand.
relevant implies a traceable, significant, logical connection.
germane may additionally imply a fitness for or appropriateness to the situation or occasion.
material implies so close a relationship that it cannot be dispensed with without serious alteration of the case.
pertinent stresses a clear and decisive relevance.
apposite suggests a felicitous relevance.
applicable suggests the fitness of bringing a general rule or principle to bear upon a particular case.
apropos suggests being both relevant and opportune.
Examples of apposite in a Sentence
Word History
borrowed from Latin appositus "situated near, ready at hand, suitable, apt," from past participle of appōnere "to place near, put or fit on, contribute as an additional element," from ap- ap- entry 1 + pōnere "to place, set, put in position" — more at position entry 1
1621, in the meaning defined above
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Cite this Entry
“Apposite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apposite. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.
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apposite
adjective
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