1
as in proper
following the established traditions of refined society and good taste
many voters feel that the womanizing governor has not acted in a befitting manner for someone who serves as the state's chief executive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in appropriate
meeting the requirements of a purpose or situation
a befitting reply to a civil question
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in fitting
to be fitting or proper
spoke politely of the deceased, as befitted the occasion
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 befitting
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2025
The first half felt befitting of a pair of 0-2 teams.
—Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2025
Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 25 Feb. 2026
The Padres arrived at the Peoria Sports Complex in February 2023 with a swagger befitting a team that had advanced to the National League Championship Series the previous fall and had spent the winter spending money.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for befitting
Adjective
Maybe a Vegas residency is more befitting Swift’s showgirl era?
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2025
The first half felt befitting of a pair of 0-2 teams.
—Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
The Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation has tapped Grammy‑winning saxophonist, composer and producer Joe Lovano as the festival’s 2026 Artist‑in‑Residence — a title befitting a musician long hailed as one of the genre’s true heavyweights.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 25 Feb. 2026
The Padres arrived at the Peoria Sports Complex in February 2023 with a swagger befitting a team that had advanced to the National League Championship Series the previous fall and had spent the winter spending money.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for befitting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befitting
Adjective
-
She was considered proper and respected—if not somewhat eccentric.—
Shoshi Parks,
Popular Science,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Gingie is a proper passion project for Lockwood, who was chuffed about the focal point of the open-concept kitchen.—
Zareen Syed,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But the judge said that, given Lau's age, her lack of a criminal record, and her remorse, the sentence was appropriate.—
Da Lin,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
There’s a kind of set (a gigantic Claes Oldenburg-style folding table and chairs), which is appropriate, since everything about Jacobs’ designs for this show is…big.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
First, girls and boys of all ages were extra concerned about not fitting in with their gender group.—
Adam Stanaland,
The Conversation,
19 Mar. 2026
-
For best results, use a pot with a tight-fitting lid.—
Farideh Sadeghin,
Saveur,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Tucked away off Lagos’ Admiralty Way main road, you’d be forgiven for mistaking its polite green exterior for something residential upon viewing.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Niall was upset but very polite.—
Andy Hoglund,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Although researchers have so far identified over 6,000 exoplanets beyond our solar system, only a handful of them may be suitable for human visitors.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Simulator games suitable for all members of the family have a much larger potential reach.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Design can help with that, starting with accessories that keep your brush head far from the orange grime that lines the sink while simply suiting your bathroom’s style.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Only Ralph could make tweed, velvet, fur pelts and suiting sexy and recognizable and stylishly sumptuous.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In the decades before the Civil War, public theater was not generally considered respectable.—
Betsy Golden Kellem,
JSTOR Daily,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Variety’s final predictions correctly called 18 of the 24 categories — a respectable 75% success rate — but the larger lesson of the season may be simpler.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Our clients are those who are looking to take charge of their health, those who want to lose weight or detox, get fit or get some headspace.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
-
People with Stage 1 hypertension who would qualify to hold off on medications, Jones said, are also generally physically fit, are at a normal weight and consume a diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in sodium and alcohol.—
Erika Edwards,
NBC news,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Befitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befitting. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
