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 No surprise, then, the old playbook is in tatters without a sufficiently clear pathway to a more felicitous future. — Paul Laudicina, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025 Yet the private life of the royal couple was rumored to be a far from felicitous one, with many stories of infidelities trickling out before and after the princess was killed in a car crash in 1982 at the age of fifty-two. — Rob Crossan, JSTOR Daily, 21 Mar. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for felicitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for felicitous
Adjective
  • The chicken’s accompaniment of roasted and pickled vegetables provided a light, pleasant contrast to the meat.
    — Julia Wytrazek, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Being a cordial person, Larry wished his new boss a pleasant evening.
    — Blake J. Harris, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The program aims to keep used textiles out of general waste and mixed recycling bins, preserve clothing for reuse and improve the supply of material suitable for fiber-to-fiber recycling.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Secondhand platforms helped the team pinpoint suitable dupes for décor and furniture.
    — Mekita Rivas, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Our server was absolutely delightful — friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu, specials, and drinks.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Executive Chef Carlos Segura collaborated with every other chef working in the resort to create a delightful tasting menu of all their favorite dishes from their grandmas growing up.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The architecture is designed to let robots interpret their surroundings, predict how environments may change, and choose appropriate actions.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Dermatologists can also help patients understand which treatments are appropriate to use during and after cancer therapy.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • These include beautiful beaches, delicious food, temples, scenic landscapes, wellness experiences, and adventures that push her beyond her usual routine.
    — Ethan Stone October 9, Idaho Statesman, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Everything was delicious, beautifully presented, and memorable.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • In every room, a marble-and-rose-gold drinks bar sets a playful deco tone, while the outdoor rain showers, with their bright-green bamboo tiles, are fun and fitting.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The fitting went as smoothly as could be, but apparently that wasn’t the end of the day’s journey.
    — Joe Manganiello, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • This year, more than 10,000 entries from 112 countries were judged in one of the most enjoyable photo competitions on the calendar.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful—don't expect any pretense here, just genuine (and enjoyable) engagement.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Proceedings kicked off Saturday with MipJunior, the kids & family prolog to Mipcom proper.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Jane Doe deserved an administration that delivered a fair and proper judicial process.
    — Jeannine Chiang, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Felicitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/felicitous. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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