apposite

adjective

ap·po·site ˈa-pə-zət

Synonyms of apposite next

: highly pertinent or appropriate : apt

apposite remarks

apposite examples

appositely adverb

appositeness noun

Did you know?

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.”

Choose the Right Synonym for apposite

relevant, germane, material, pertinent, apposite, applicable, apropos mean relating to or bearing upon the matter in hand.

relevant implies a traceable, significant, logical connection.

found material relevant to her case

germane may additionally imply a fitness for or appropriateness to the situation or occasion.

a point not germane to the discussion

material implies so close a relationship that it cannot be dispensed with without serious alteration of the case.

facts material to the investigation

pertinent stresses a clear and decisive relevance.

a pertinent observation

apposite suggests a felicitous relevance.

add an apposite quotation to the definition

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

apropos suggests being both relevant and opportune.

the quip was apropos

Example Sentences

enriched his essay on patriotism with some very apposite quotations from famous people on the subject

Recent Examples on the Web Diño concurred and said that budgets in the Philippines for independent films have also gone up to $1 million and going international allows filmmakers to realize their cinematic visions with apposite budgets. —

Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Oct. 2022 In one sense, the Italian humanists’ argument, as Mr. Hankins explains it, is both apposite and unassailable. —

Barton Swaim, WSJ, 19 Aug. 2022 There does, though, seem to be one apposite fact missing from this puzzle: the fact that people grow up. —

New York Times, 29 July 2022 Burns points to an apposite scene in the last episode, of an unspecified protest march across New York’s Brooklyn Bridge. —

David Bloom, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2021 There is something apposite and almost ridiculously perfect about the fact that Margaret Howell’s 50th anniversary has come around in 2020. —

Sarah Mower, Vogue, 22 Sep. 2020 In that regard, Mr. Obama seems an apposite speaker at Mandela’s centenary. —

Peter Godwin, WSJ, 13 July 2018 Here Helmchen was in his element, finding apposite aural equivalents for each Beethoven marking and achieving special results in the 10th, presto, variation played staccato and light, and the whirlwind No. 23. —

Alan Artner, chicagotribune.com, 11 June 2018 But times have changed, and the comparison of the two parades is only partly apposite. —

William Neuman, New York Times, 23 May 2017 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'apposite.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1621, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of apposite was in 1621

See more words from the same year