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 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 That breadth is a felicitous analog to the roaming comedy of the script. Scott Hocker, theweek, 5 Jan. 2024 See All Example Sentences for felicitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for felicitous
Adjective
  • Tuesday is shaping-up to be the nicest weather day this week and possibly the most pleasant day for a while.
    Cutter Martin, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
  • The wonders of Arenal can be enjoyed year-round, but the weather is significantly more pleasant in the dry season, which typically runs from December to April.
    Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • With Dish Soap A mix of dish soap and water is more suitable for finished wood.
    Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 15 Jan. 2026
  • Select the Right Temperature Setting Most seed starting mats are relatively simple devices that use minimal electricity to raise soil temperatures by 5°F to 20°F above the ambient room temperature, which is suitable for most plants.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • While a standard Whiskey Sour is a delightful experience, almost invariably mixed with bourbon and made smooth and unobjectionable with egg white, the Rattlesnake is that same framework but greener.
    Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 10 Jan. 2026
  • The cozy, historic tavern, complete with working fireplaces, offers a delightful four-course dinner experience, best enjoyed with the Virginia and Tavern wine pairings.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The result is a chic, vacation-appropriate alternative that travels beautifully.
    Gabrielle Porcaro, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
  • This is not meant to provide Nix with an excuse, but an appropriate frame of reference.
    Troy Renck The Denver Post, Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Soup Up the Basic Chicken Noodle Stir a few tablespoons into the broth of your standard chicken noodle soup for a delicious Mediterranean spin on a favorite.
    Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Besides being undeniably delicious, these creations put an end to indecision, offering two craveable recipes in each bite.
    Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The gem is Kate’s birthstone, and is said to symbolize inner strength and healing—a fitting reflection of the Princess’s past few years.
    Stephanie Bridger-Linning, Glamour, 15 Jan. 2026
  • The timing felt especially fitting, with The Devil Wears Prada 2 set to be released this year.
    Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • To make these journeys manageable and enjoyable, visitors must rely on local travel platforms which understand (and solve) the logistical challenges.
    Maria Williams, USA Today, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Season 2 is not without enjoyable intrigue, yet never proves worth the risk of opening a closed (literal) book.
    Alison Herman, Variety, 11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Without proper hydration, fibermaxxing can cause constipation, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, bloating and gas, Syn said.
    Renée Onque, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2026
  • Yet the first episode drags on a bit, laying a ton of groundwork and backstory before the proper investigation begins.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Felicitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/felicitous. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.

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