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
  • The day Chunhyang and Mongryong met each other for the first time was exceptionally pleasant.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
  • The fruit is sweet with pleasant, slightly tangy undertones.
    Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 1 May 2026
Adjective
  • As a major destination for outdoor parties ranging from pop-up shops for local vendors to off-season wedding celebrations, the team informs guests of any events on the agenda before booking, so each stay is suitable to visitor preferences.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026
  • By that point, then owner James Dolan, the controversial businessman whose family has a controlling interest in the companies that oversee MSG and the New York Knicks, cast the team out of New York City and up to Westchester County Center, a microdome more suitable for high schoolers.
    Yohana Desta, Vanity Fair, 7 May 2026
Adjective
  • When in bloom, the tree is adorned with fragrant white flowers that can fill a patio with their delightful scent.
    SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 3 May 2026
  • This is a delightful day to enjoy everyone’s company.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 2 May 2026
Adjective
  • The Messings, to their credit, ultimately agreed that a social-rehabilitation program was the appropriate path for me.
    Chang-rae Lee, New Yorker, 3 May 2026
  • Not only atypical job seekers like me, but also people looking for housing, appropriate medical treatment, and a fair financial shake from lenders.
    Michelle Dally, Denver Post, 2 May 2026
Adjective
  • Ahead, discover our perfect Mother’s Day gifts for every type of mom, including design-forward decor, luxurious linens, delicious fragrances, accents for the outdoors, and even a few last-minute Mother’s Day gift ideas (After all, a gift box goes a long way).
    Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 1 May 2026
  • Their 2022 Pinot Noir has enticing aromas of cherry cola, cinnamon, and red raspberry that lead to delicious flavors of cherry, raspberry, cranberry, and brown baking spices.
    Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 1 May 2026
Adjective
  • How fitting, then, that a primitive predator from five hundred and sixty million years ago, a fossilized example of which was discovered near where the young David grew up, should have been named Auroralumina attenboroughii in his honor.
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
  • The San Francisco Giants announced a fitting tribute to one of the best players in the history of Major League Baseball on Wednesday afternoon.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
Adjective
  • The first two days of the game were really enjoyable, Williams said.
    Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026
  • In a statement provided to The Star, a representative for the Country Club Plaza said the organization was focused on providing a safe and enjoyable experience in the area, particularly for the World Cup festivities this summer.
    Dylan Lysen May 1, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026
Adjective
  • These aren’t just any Airstreams, but ones that have been outfitted to include amenities like a little kitchenette for your morning coffee, a small couch, and a proper shower and restroom.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026
  • Christensen disclosed his relationship with school psychology professor Bryn Harris to the university through the proper channels in late 2025, according to CU’s vice president of communications, Michele Ames.
    Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 7 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Felicitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/felicitous. Accessed 9 May. 2026.

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