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
  • Are not random acts of rhyming gone wrong still more pleasant than thinking about squealing war-babies, the wrecking ball that is the last week of a Florida legislative session or the AI Apocalypse which should be here (checks watch) very soon?
    Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
  • The fireplace, stone walls, and ambient lighting, paired with hand-cut steaks, homemade desserts, and Virginia wine pairings, lull diners into a pleasant reverie.
    Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • There’s excellent boutique shopping, a diverse range of cuisines to sample, and lodging options suitable for any size or type of travel group.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
  • This watch is suitable for light swimming.
    Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Nonetheless, Rodin found the piece delightful.
    Alex Ross, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Ellis, a certified trainer whose résumé spans service dogs, canine film stars, and everything in between, is putting her expertise to work in the most delightful way possible.
    Ronnie Li, USA Today, 14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Alexander said in the Thursday statement that the branch would continue working with lawmakers and the executive branch agencies and resume its search for an appropriate location for the program.
    Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Third, the chilling requirement of four to five hundred hours — the number of winter hours below 45 degrees needed for flowering to occur — eliminates much of Los Angeles as an appropriate locale for nut production.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • This fresh and vibrant salad is delicious warm or cold, as a nutritious lunch or shared at a gathering, said Madeleine Olivia.
    The Week UK, TheWeek, 14 Mar. 2026
  • This two-ingredient recipe couldn't be easier or more delicious.
    Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Her stunning rings are fitting with the rest of her legendary jewelry collection, which also includes a 50-diamond bracelet and an emerald Bulgari brooch.
    Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026
  • The loud lime shade is fitting for a vibrant party, while the wax construction prevents drips, so the area stays clean and safe all night.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Volunteers dedicate their time to community education in an effort to make gardening accessible and enjoyable for all.
    The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Maybe this is the attitude that has made it into (for me, at least still enjoyable) slow television.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Unable to afford a proper burial, the victim’s husband and daughter have created a GoFundMe to help pay for services.
    Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Other clips don’t even bother rendering a proper baby.
    Joe Wilkins Published Mar 12, Futurism, 12 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Felicitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/felicitous. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.

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