Definition of fittingnext

fitting

2 of 2

verb

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
4
5
as in accommodating
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

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fitting differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fitting are appropriate, apt, felicitous, fit, happy, meet, proper, and suitable. While all these words mean "right with respect to some end, need, use, or circumstance," fitting implies harmony of mood or tone.

a fitting end

When would appropriate be a good substitute for fitting?

While the synonyms appropriate and fitting are close in meaning, appropriate implies eminent or distinctive fitness.

an appropriate gift

When is it sensible to use apt instead of fitting?

In some situations, the words apt and fitting are roughly equivalent. However, apt connotes a fitness marked by nicety and discrimination.

apt quotations

When might felicitous be a better fit than fitting?

The words felicitous and fitting are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful.

a felicitous phrase

When could fit be used to replace fitting?

While in some cases nearly identical to fitting, fit stresses adaptability and sometimes special readiness for use or action.

fit for battle

Where would happy be a reasonable alternative to fitting?

The meanings of happy and fitting largely overlap; however, happy suggests what is effectively or successfully appropriate.

a happy choice of words

In what contexts can meet take the place of fitting?

The synonyms meet and fitting are sometimes interchangeable, but meet suggests a just proportioning.

meet payment

When is proper a more appropriate choice than fitting?

The words proper and fitting can be used in similar contexts, but proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom.

proper acknowledgement

When can suitable be used instead of fitting?

Although the words suitable and fitting have much in common, 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 fitting
Adjective
Galtié also pointed out that the garden sits steps from the Vanderbilt Gate, a fitting historical rhyme given the family’s ties to Boucheron. — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026 San Francisco is still bolting new pieces together, including fitting Mike Evans into the offense on the fly. — Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Verb
The Bedroom Paintings are not only fitting to the setting but are also an especially apropos touchstone for Matsuyama. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 18 Sep. 2026 The collaboration between the two houses results in a brogue, d’Orsay, loafer and mule styles — all made in soft, form-fitting calf and Nappa leathers. — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fitting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fitting
Adjective
  • For Parks, making lemonade from art market lemons seemed a suitable metaphor for this moment.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 17 Sep. 2026
  • With 42mm object lenses, these binoculars admit plenty of light and are suitable for basic stargazing.
    — Chris McMullen, Space.com, 17 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The doors add to the drama befitting a flagship for a startup automaker and will certainly draw attention out on Saudi roads.
    — Chad Kirchner, ArsTechnica, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Rising Viggo Björck Björck’s performance was befitting of a top prospect with top-six aspirations.
    — Murat Ates, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The warmer water triggers corresponding shifts in the atmosphere that have a domino effect on weather patterns around the globe.
    — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The six original moments of silence represent the times when each of the World Trade Center towers was struck, when each fell and the times corresponding to the attack of the Pentagon and crash of United Airlines Flight 93 in Pennsylvania.
    — Greta Cross, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The deaths were sudden and unexpected as their health wavered amid the challenges of adjusting to a new home, according to statements from the aquariums.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
  • In response, retailers are adjusting their marketing approaches to target the value-conscious early holiday shopper as opposed to expecting to capture the consumer during a few peak shopping days throughout the holiday season.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Zelenskyy said Ukraine was also preparing for a meeting with von der Leyen at the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week focused on the country's financial stability.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Know More Republican leaders are preparing for Democratic opponents of the college sports bill to dig in, dragging out the rest of the schedule.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The Seltos has an especially accommodating rear seat, even for taller passengers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026
  • For example, Burger King is testing Whopper bites, accommodating the desire for smaller portions, and protein-forward bowls.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • No one should be reading the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Barnyard Recruitment Manual without appropriate ID.
    — Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026
  • But on Wednesday, the Fed’s rate-setting committee unanimously agreed to a rate hike, and nearly all policymakers signaled that a second increase later this year would likely be appropriate.
    — Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Save to wishlist Grey Area Róhe has a strong offering of tailoring and suiting and I was instantly drawn to these grey separates.
    — Madeline Fass, Vogue, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Tom Marchitelli blazed a unique trail in his rise to suiting mostly NFL superstars as a founder, designer and stylist for custom menswear brand Gentleman’s Playbook.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fitting. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster