Definition of felicitousnext
1
as in pleasant
giving pleasure or contentment to the mind or senses a felicitous accompaniment to dinner is provided by a pianist on weekends at the restaurant

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective felicitous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of felicitous are appropriate, apt, fitting, fit, happy, meet, proper, and suitable. While all these words mean "right with respect to some end, need, use, or circumstance," felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful.

a felicitous phrase

When is appropriate a more appropriate choice than felicitous?

While in some cases nearly identical to felicitous, appropriate implies eminent or distinctive fitness.

an appropriate gift

When might apt be a better fit than felicitous?

Although the words apt and felicitous have much in common, apt connotes a fitness marked by nicety and discrimination.

apt quotations

When would fit be a good substitute for felicitous?

The meanings of fit and felicitous largely overlap; however, fit stresses adaptability and sometimes special readiness for use or action.

fit for battle

When could fitting be used to replace felicitous?

In some situations, the words fitting and felicitous are roughly equivalent. However, fitting implies harmony of mood or tone.

a fitting end

Where would happy be a reasonable alternative to felicitous?

While the synonyms happy and felicitous are close in meaning, happy suggests what is effectively or successfully appropriate.

a happy choice of words

When is it sensible to use meet instead of felicitous?

The words meet and felicitous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, meet suggests a just proportioning.

meet payment

When can proper be used instead of felicitous?

The synonyms proper and felicitous are sometimes interchangeable, but proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom.

proper acknowledgement

In what contexts can suitable take the place of felicitous?

The words suitable and felicitous can be used in similar contexts, but 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 felicitous The screenplay that Gracey wrote with Simon Gleeson and Oliver Cole is less felicitous. Stephen Farber, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2024 And in one of those felicitous culinary accidents like the Toll House cookie, wound up with a gluten-free product. Florence Fabricant, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2024 Pebble Beach was not a felicitous meeting of land and sea. Doug Ferguson, USA TODAY, 5 Feb. 2024 Ellis-Bextor now joins Kate Bush in the league of criminally underrated British singers who have received a late-career reappraisal thanks to a felicitous TV or film sync. Vulture, 11 Jan. 2024 See All Example Sentences for felicitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for felicitous
Adjective
  • Great andouille sausages are balanced, with a pleasant amount of smoke, savory meat flavor, just enough heat to linger on your tongue after each bite, and a pleasant amount of salt to amplify it all.
    Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Occasionally my therapist would have a delicious-smelling soup on simmer in another part of the house — not a design choice, but a pleasant sensory experience in the background.
    Wendy C. Ortiz, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • In the world of higher ed, there’s long been an insistence that college is for everyone, but this has resulted in many graduates unable to find suitable jobs; the employment prospects of English majors—or even computer-science grads—are looking increasingly grim.
    Emma Green, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Shoppers note that the fabric is soft to the touch and the ideal weight for spring and summer when used by itself, or suitable for year-round use in milder climates.
    Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The entire pool was repiped and coated with a delightful granular coating.
    Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 11 Apr. 2026
  • The soft custard filling complements the firm peach slices for a delightful texture and the perfect make-ahead dessert.
    Abby Fribush, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • There are no winners in wildfire; however, the Court's decision supports PacifiCorp's longstanding belief that this process was prejudicial and not appropriate for managing wildfire litigation.
    Alex Crippen, CNBC, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Federal education law requires that all students with disabilities have access to a free and appropriate public education.
    Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The parathas, as the savory flatbreads are called, stuffed with onion and paneer and coated with a generous amount of butter, are as delicious as ever.
    Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 11 Apr. 2026
  • This simple combination of strawberries, lemon, basil, and sugar is the key to so many fruit-forward desserts, but the sweet mixture is just as delicious when enjoyed on its own.
    Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The switch from country superstar to incognito face in the crowd feels Hannah Montana-coded — fitting for a singer who impersonated the Disney icon at parties before finding fame herself.
    Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
  • In that sense, Tuesday’s Play-In loss to Portland was fitting.
    Doug Haller, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Big Tech lawsuits, such as the one coming out of California, shift blame away from guardians to tech companies who are simply making their products maximally enjoyable.
    Maggie Anders, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026
  • But there is something enjoyable — again, exciting — about this kind of showing off.
    Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Hot sleepers know the feeling of tossing, turning, and sweating through too-warm bedding especially well, but the proper seasonal bedding can eliminate this issue.
    Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Everyone needs a release for life’s many frustrations; its just a matter of finding the proper outlet, before things get out of hand.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Felicitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/felicitous. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.

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