fitting 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfi-tiŋ How to pronounce fitting (audio)
Definition of fittingnext
as in suitable
meeting the requirements of a purpose or situation it is only fitting that you should be the one to take her back to the airport since she flew out to see you

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
as in corresponding
to be in agreement on every point now that you've explained your absence to me, my records and the office's fit

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in adjusting
to change (something) so as to make it suitable for a new use or situation I can undo the hem on these old culottes and fit them into a skirt

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in preparing
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

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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
as in arranging
to make ready in advance I won't have time to fit the spare room for the guests

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Iguazú is the sort of spectacle that sticks with you, the sort of place that has the gravitas and power to provide a fitting backdrop for a big life event. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025 Considering the notorious traits of an Aquarius, there doesn't seem to be a more fitting title for Nolte's 2018 memoir, Rebel. —Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
Downstairs, Bennett is watching the preparations on a monitor when a contestant named Angel, portraying Vixen, strides onto the screen in a long green vest and snug-fitting black leather pants. —Kristen Baldwin, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Nov. 2025 Experiential gifts can range from inexpensive local activities to more elaborate travel, fitting any budget. —Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fitting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fitting
  1. suitable
  2. befitting
  3. corresponding
  4. adjusting
  5. preparing
  6. accommodating
  7. appropriate
  8. suiting
Adjective
  • The Mokum variety, a Nantes type, is suitable for container growing since the orange roots are slim and shorter than some of the larger varieties, reaching six-to-eight inches in length.
    — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2025
  • During the land use committee hearing, city property agent Tyler Garland said the five parcels are not suitable for multi-family housing and that no city department expressed interest in using them.
    — Ashley Mackin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
Definition of suitable
Verb
  • Although the Creature finds catharsis at the end of both Shelley’s text and del Toro’s adaptation, one leans on a more tragic note, while the other offers a sense of hope befitting a modern retelling of Frankenstein, focused on the power of kindness and empathy.
    — Yasmeen Hamadeh, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
  • The retailer dropped the Rare DNM Edit Holiday Collection, a line of jackets and jeans featuring statement embellishments and details befitting holiday parties and festive events.
    — Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 6 Nov. 2025
Definition of befitting
Verb
  • Even prior to the coup, the system was set up such that all proceeds from sales by state-enterprises like MTE were deposited into the Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank’s roughly 50 accounts in corresponding banks across the world.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Ingredients vary in their duration, with a higher concentration of the active ingredient generally corresponding to longer-lasting effects.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2025
Definition of corresponding
Verb
  • Djokovic’s ability to stay in the conversation — in part by adjusting his game to the kill-or-be-killed aggression Sinner and Alcaraz bring that Medvedev and Zverev cannot adopt — only compounds that.
    — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
  • The new study showed that every 1% increase in state-level firearm ownership was associated with a 6% increase in all-cause homicide and an 8% increase in the firearm-specific homicide rate in pregnant women, even after adjusting for other factors.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
Definition of adjusting
Verb
  • Vietnam is preparing for damaging winds, flooding, heavy rain and storm surges in its central provinces including Danang, Quang Ngai and Dak Lak.
    — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Two or three chefs work right in front of you, preparing each dish in the traditional omakase style.
    — Aaron Randolph, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Definition of preparing
Verb
  • Her mom is on her side, but some aunts are calling her a bridezilla for not accommodating family.
    — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Hanai’s skeptical but accommodating wife, Sachiko (Shinobu Terajima), agrees to essentially adopt Kikuo and help train him.
    — Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2025
Definition of accommodating
Adjective
  • Canada couldn’t be more appropriate to host the first Winter Games.
    — Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Always serve pumpkin in moderation and in an amount appropriate for the size of your pet.
    — Cody Godwin, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
Definition of appropriate
Verb
  • This is a collection that showcased the American designer’s ability to intertwine tweedy suiting with rich velvet dresses, antique ivory and gold finishings, and glamorous eveningwear.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Meghan Markle exchanged power suiting for elevated business casual dressing in pieces by Ralph Lauren on Friday for her speaking engagement with Project Healthy Minds World Mental Health Day Festival in New York City.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2025
Definition of suiting

Browse Nearby Words

fitted (out)
fitting
fitting (in)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fitting. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.

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