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appropriate

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective appropriate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of appropriate are apt, felicitous, fitting, fit, happy, meet, proper, and suitable. While all these words mean "right with respect to some end, need, use, or circumstance," appropriate implies eminent or distinctive fitness.

an appropriate gift

In what contexts can apt take the place of appropriate?

In some situations, the words apt and appropriate are roughly equivalent. However, apt connotes a fitness marked by nicety and discrimination.

apt quotations

When would felicitous be a good substitute for appropriate?

The synonyms felicitous and appropriate are sometimes interchangeable, but felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful.

a felicitous phrase

When might fit be a better fit than appropriate?

The words fit and appropriate can be used in similar contexts, but fit stresses adaptability and sometimes special readiness for use or action.

fit for battle

When could fitting be used to replace appropriate?

Although the words fitting and appropriate have much in common, fitting implies harmony of mood or tone.

a fitting end

Where would happy be a reasonable alternative to appropriate?

The meanings of happy and appropriate largely overlap; however, happy suggests what is effectively or successfully appropriate.

a happy choice of words

When is meet a more appropriate choice than appropriate?

While in some cases nearly identical to appropriate, meet suggests a just proportioning.

meet payment

When is it sensible to use proper instead of appropriate?

The words proper and appropriate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom.

proper acknowledgement

When can suitable be used instead of appropriate?

While the synonyms suitable and appropriate 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 appropriate
Adjective
Additional Tips for a Healthy Lawn Follow a consistent summer lawn care routine, including regular mowing, early morning watering, and appropriate fertilization. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 20 June 2025 Holloway, meanwhile, was worried a possible romance wouldn’t feel appropriate for the characters or the era. Hunter Ingram, Variety, 20 June 2025
Verb
Now, as part of sweeping cuts to foreign aid that began on Inauguration Day, the Trump administration has frozen $114.5 million appropriated by Congress for the NTD Program's 2025 budget. Patrick Adams, NPR, 5 June 2025 Zuckerberg appropriated and scaled social networking. Dileep Rao, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for appropriate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appropriate
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
  • Securities, investment products, other financial products or strategies discussed herein may not be suitable for all investors.
    Katie Stockton, CNBC, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • In 2024, the DEA seized more than 60 million counterfeit pills and nearly 8,000 pounds of fentanyl powder nationwide — enough to deliver more than 380 million lethal doses.
    Mark Michalek, Denver Post, 28 June 2025
  • Speakers at the conference, aimed at helping Republicans hold the House and Senate, seized on Mamdani’s win as a symbol of the Democratic Party’s hard-left turn, using it to paint the entire party with the same brush.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • The group later stole Samsung electronics valued at $14,081, authorities alleged.
    Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 21 June 2025
  • The Twins spent all day playing from behind after starter Simeon Woods Richardson gave up hits to two of the first three batters and Jeffers airmailed a throw into the outfield trying to nab Christian Yelich stealing second.
    Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 21 June 2025
Adjective
  • The borrower acknowledges that the borrower is capable of using the pans in a safe and proper manner.
    Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 19 June 2025
  • Talk to your provider about your symptoms and health history to determine if Botox is the proper treatment for you.
    Brandi Jones, Health, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • The Pennsylvania State Game Commission confiscated the wildcats as part of an ongoing investigation.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 12 June 2025
  • Police would have the power to ticket, impound vehicles, confiscate personal property, revoke licenses and levy heavy fines.
    Paul Vallas, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025
Verb
  • Artificial intelligence is swiping jobs from new graduates.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 28 June 2025
  • After applying your base color of choice—something neutral—swipe a pop of color over the top one-third of your nail, all the way to your nail tip.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • Leadership in 2025 and beyond requires fitting humans, who supply feelings and ethics, together with technology that enhances the speed, reach, and uniformity of processes.
    Mark Minevich, Fortune, 25 June 2025
  • The key for Niang, who enters a contract year during an era where elite shooting is quite invaluable, will be fitting into the team defense.
    Zach Harper, New York Times, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Now, folks heading to Shenandoah National Park or beyond can grab some gas, hit the jerky wall, nab a Dr Pepper Icee, load up on fudge, use the famously clean bathrooms, and stock up on Buc-ee’s merch before heading back out on the road.
    Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 30 June 2025
  • My father seemed to crumple a little, shuddering, grabbing the edge of his desk to steady himself.
    Ottessa Moshfegh, New Yorker, 30 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Appropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appropriate. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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