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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
Greatly increasing new company formation by encouraging greater start-up capital pools and appropriate tax incentives. Alden Abbott, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025 Tuesday seemed like an appropriate time on the 60th anniversary of Sandy Koufax’s perfect game against the Chicago Cubs. Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
National security leaders in all three countries must commit to more multiyear procurement contracts and authorize and appropriate more funding for cutting-edge defense technologies. Gary Roughead, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2025 One user appropriated the monologue as an origin story for Fozzie Bear. Matt Donnelly, Variety, 31 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for appropriate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appropriate
Adjective
  • Scientists revealed that the 1200-volt, 400-amp power module is suitable for use in power grids and even heavy-duty vehicles such as next-generation aircraft and military vehicles.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Nonfunctional Gadgets and Tech Outdated gadgets are rarely suitable for donation.
    Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Leaders must continuously renew and reinvent their strategies to seize opportunities and stay ahead of the curve.
    Glenn Llopis, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • With each load seized, the cartel would take another bite off its own tail.
    Martin Suarez, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • How can someone steal from you and simply get away with it?
    Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Two innings later, Martin singled, stole second base and eventually scored the winning run in a ninth-inning comeback victory.
    Dan Hayes, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • After the 1-0 win, Bright spoke to the media about being ‘proper English’.
    Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The proper name for the show is IAA Mobility 2025, short for Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung.
    Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • At a concurrent raid at the STUM’s headquarters, a dozen people in plain clothes, including the Shwe Pyi Thar ward administrator, were described as forcibly entering the office to confiscate laptops and cellphones.
    Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The victims had had their passports and phones confiscated.
    Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • What To Know The Liquid Glass interface not only updates the home screen but transforms interactions within apps like Music, where users can now swipe between views instead of tapping.
    Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
  • This is a guy who swiped 32 bases a year ago and socked 28 homers two years ago.
    Zack Meisel, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • That bout was promoted as his return to the ring after a 19-year retirement and was widely regarded as a fitting sendoff.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Sinzer, as well wine director Ellis Srubas-Giammanco, also just snagged Michelin’s 2024 New York Sommelier award, making Stars a fitting step on their wine journey.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Plus, grab knife sets and a nifty electric can opener to streamline your cooking.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2025
  • As Jey checked on Jimmy, LA Knight grabbed the steel chair and teased hitting Jey Uso.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Appropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appropriate. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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