as in suitable
meeting the requirements of a purpose or situation
I don't think jeans and a T-shirt are appropriate attire for a wedding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to seize
to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right
archaeologists wrongfully appropriated artifacts excavated at ancient sites for their museums
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to steal
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep
you can't just appropriate somebody's term paper and put your name on it!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Sacbee.com,
3 July 2026
Those resources include avenues to help seniors maintain regular exercise, ongoing positive social connections, appropriate living situations, transportation and more.
—
Rachel Brown Kirkland,
AJC.com,
2 July 2026
ABC News,
15 June 2026
Last fiscal year, the county appropriated nearly $500 million to cover possible payouts on claims from fire victims of the Airport fire.
—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for appropriate
Adjective
Bunting arranged this way is appropriate for covering a speaker’s desk, draping the front of a platform or general decoration.
—
Sacbee.com,
3 July 2026
Those resources include avenues to help seniors maintain regular exercise, ongoing positive social connections, appropriate living situations, transportation and more.
—
Rachel Brown Kirkland,
AJC.com,
2 July 2026
Verb
It was appropriated a decade ago as a signal for white supremacy that started as a hoax on the far-right online message board 4chan.
—
ABC News,
15 June 2026
Last fiscal year, the county appropriated nearly $500 million to cover possible payouts on claims from fire victims of the Airport fire.
—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for appropriate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appropriate
Adjective
-
Accessibility Unfortunately, the suites at Hotel Ottilia are not suitable for those with reduced mobility.
-
IsoHemp’s blocks, made out of hemp and lime binders, can be integrated into load-bearing structures, and are suitable for both interior and exterior walls.
Verb
-
Hilton, running on a platform of affordability and lowering taxes, has seized on the sentiment, casting health coverage for immigrants without legal status as deeply unfair and a direct threat to the state’s ability to help citizens.
-
So far this year, 17 tons of illicit drugs, mostly cocaine, have been seized in the Pacific region – more than three times the total across the whole of last year, according to the Australian Federal Police.
Verb
-
Zach Neto walked to begin the inning but got picked off at first base attempting to steal second.
-
Yamal is most likely your favorite player’s favorite player to watch, to steal a somewhat corny adage.
Adjective
-
Families, educators and advocates described barriers to accessing proper support and services.
-
Heat this severe can affect anyone without proper cooling or hydration, according to the weather service.
Verb
-
In Dallas, the FBI recently announced agents confiscated four drones that allegedly violated Temporary Flight Restrictions over AT&T Stadium and the city's FIFA Fan Festival.
-
Amid anecdotal reports that airport security services have been confiscating bottles of ranch dressing that sports tourists have tried to smuggle out of the country, Kraft Heinz came up with a TSA-friendly size of ranch dressing.
Verb
-
Who got caught swiping this trash can?
-
The 22-year-old center fielder swiped three bases in his second game with high Single-A Fort Wayne and both Luke Cantwell and Kavares Tears homered in a 7-6 win at Lake County on Wednesday.
Adjective
-
Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors, so wear light loose-fitting, light colored clothing, says Gray.
-
The ceremony, reportedly held at New York's iconic Madison Square Garden, seems like a fitting venue for a musical performance.
Verb
-
Video of the incident showed the professor grabbing and twisting the arm of the pro-Palestinian student.
-
As police tried to handcuff Sever, the Westmoreland County District Attorney's Office said Sever swung at troopers and forcefully grabbed at a trooper's duty weapon, which was secured in a holster.
Cite this Entry
“Appropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appropriate. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
