fit 1 of 3

1
as in to suffice
archaic to be fitting or proper we hardly know them, so for Christmas a simple card will fit

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
3
4
as in to equip
to make competent (as by training, skill, or ability) for a particular office or function that final computer course should fit him for a career in programming

Synonyms & Similar Words

5
as in to accommodate
to make or have room for we can fit you in the booth if the rest of us squeeze closer together

Synonyms & Similar Words

6

fit

2 of 3

noun

fit

3 of 3

adjective

1
2
3
4
5

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fit differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fit are appropriate, apt, felicitous, fitting, happy, meet, proper, and suitable. While all these words mean "right with respect to some end, need, use, or circumstance," fit stresses adaptability and sometimes special readiness for use or action.

fit for battle

When can appropriate be used instead of fit?

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

an appropriate gift

When is apt a more appropriate choice than fit?

The words apt and fit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, apt connotes a fitness marked by nicety and discrimination.

apt quotations

In what contexts can felicitous take the place of fit?

Although the words felicitous and fit have much in common, felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful.

a felicitous phrase

Where would fitting be a reasonable alternative to fit?

The synonyms fitting and fit are sometimes interchangeable, but fitting implies harmony of mood or tone.

a fitting end

When could happy be used to replace fit?

The words happy and fit can be used in similar contexts, but happy suggests what is effectively or successfully appropriate.

a happy choice of words

When is it sensible to use meet instead of fit?

In some situations, the words meet and fit are roughly equivalent. However, meet suggests a just proportioning.

meet payment

When might proper be a better fit than fit?

The meanings of proper and fit largely overlap; however, proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom.

proper acknowledgement

When would suitable be a good substitute for fit?

While the synonyms suitable and fit are close in meaning, 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 fit
Verb
Doing that requires an honest examination of the facts, and the uncomfortable reality is that Trump’s actions keep fitting the definition. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2025 Jordan assumed Camara’s role as nickel during the spring and seemed to fit the position well. Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Aug. 2025
Noun
Boasting a first-look deal at New Line, the company also has a real interest in comedy, and is thus a natural fit for a studio that has historically gravitated between their genres of choice. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2025 The stylish bag comes with an adjustable and removable contrasting crossbody strap, enabling you to customize the fit to feel comfortable. Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
These were invented in 2008, something like that, and these don’t maybe quite fit into either of those categories. Quanta Magazine, 7 Aug. 2025 These slip-on sneakers combine lightweight agility with secure fit and sleek styling — great for security checkpoints or unexpected itinerary changes. Jené Luciani Sena, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fit
Verb
  • As long as Hizballah retains arms, words will not suffice.
    Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025
  • So, suffice to say, there is imminent concern regarding the entry of the National Guard in Black communities.
    Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Note: Most subscribers have some, but not all, of the puzzles that correspond to the following set of solutions for their local newspaper.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2025
  • In general, it’s recommended that people commit to 150 minutes of moderate activity per week to see sufficient health benefits, said Dr. Wei Zheng, the study’s corresponding author.
    Gina Park, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • But his body soon adapted and, eventually, the new plan got him to the big leagues, following in the path of Travis Adams, who reached the majors about a month earlier.
    Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 13 Aug. 2025
  • The series is adapted for television by Naomi Sheldon and Gabbie Asher, with episodes written by Sheldon, Asher, Polly Cavendish, Helen Kingston, Marek Horn, Ava Wong Davies, Isis Davis, Smita Bhide, and Matt Evans.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Our adobe house was equipped with nothing but electricity—no plumbing, no running water—so a fair amount of physical labor was necessary to get through each day.
    Vivian Gornick, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2025
  • The group’s divisions include a virtual production facility called V Studio, equipped with LED wall technology, and krADR, which runs ADR recording stages used by international studios.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The result is an infrastructure network that's not just reactive, but resilient—designed to accommodate diverse user needs and reduce grid strain during peak demand.
    Bryan Mistele, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • The central lawn was one of the most notable features of President John F. Kennedy's iconic Rose Garden redesign in the early 1960s, which allowed room to accommodate more high-profile events by moving the flowers, shrubs and trees to the perimeter of the space.
    Kyler Alvord, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Build Career Advisors and Internal Learning Paths Create roles or programs that help employees explore new functions, assess transferable skills and prepare for moves.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • In addition, The Batman II (2027) is preparing to begin shooting next spring, among several other projects in development.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Republican governors have passed property tax refund proposals and, in some cases, successfully capped what cities can charge residents.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 19 Aug. 2025
  • In the first case, the pupil might return to the master with a description of their face, or a leaf, or a rock—all of which would be dismissed as wrong.
    Sebastian Purcell August 18, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Love planet Venus will enter Leo on Aug. 25, adding a dazzling burst of glamour and passion, followed by harmonious aspects to Saturn, Uranus and Neptune on Aug. 25 and 26, making romantic themes equally grounding and liberating.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • And all of this came during a sustained burst of fiction writing that Woolf—whose work had been derailed by mental breakdowns and spells of illness—relished.
    Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 5 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fit. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fit

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!