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
The project is both a fitting tribute to the nation's 26th president and a masterclass in sustainable architecture. Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 7 July 2026 The backstory Calling Deetjen’s a living museum may seem a tad much, but the descriptor is fitting. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 July 2026
Verb
In recent years, Abercrombie jeans have become a sort of phenomenon, thanks to a rebrand and refocus on creating the best-fitting off-the-rack jeans. Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 9 July 2026 These elegant, loose-fitting pull-on pants sit high on the waist, creating a leg-lengthening effect. Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fitting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fitting
Adjective
  • The structures produced during the mission were experimental tissues rather than complete organs suitable for transplantation.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 11 July 2026
  • This leaves little scope for a winger of Garnacho’s type with Chelsea already moving for suitable wing backs in the summer transfer window.
    Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
Verb
  • The atmosphere alone deserves a high ranking, and the goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez were befitting of the occasion.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 11 July 2026
  • These platform sandals are campy, retro, bubblegum-scented, and chicly befitting to any look, even elevating a simple jean or skirt.
    Alexandra Pereira, Travel + Leisure, 10 July 2026
Verb
  • San Francisco called up Carson Whisenhunt from Triple-A Sacramento Thursday morning, demoting beleaguered reliever Ryan Walker in a corresponding roster move.
    Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
  • The algorithm examined participants’ chronotypes, or typical sleep and wake patterns over 24-hour periods, and found patterns in brain imaging corresponding to five distinct groups.
    Kate Graham-Shaw, Scientific American, 9 July 2026
Verb
  • Looking back to 1990, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Minnesota had the biggest drops, when adjusting for the age of their populations, averaging more than 63% fewer coronary artery disease deaths than in 1990.
    Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 15 July 2026
  • Powdery Mildew or Root Rot Minor cases of powdery mildew and root rot can sometimes be fixed by adjusting watering schedules and treating petunias with an organic fungicide.
    Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 14 July 2026
Verb
  • Those experiences, combined with feedback from trainees and employers, have helped shape Buildher's broader approach to preparing women not only technically but also emotionally and physically for work in the industry.
    Christopher Clark, NPR, 5 July 2026
  • According to a GoFundMe campaign, Martin was preparing to move her family into a new home the day after she was killed.
    Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
Verb
  • Insider tip The kitchen staff is very accommodating of food requests here.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 July 2026
  • Holmes and her husband have been accommodating over the years to various entertainment personnel or writers interested in the house, even appearing on-screen.
    Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026
Adjective
  • That includes a bath with breed-appropriate shampoo, a blow-dry and brush-out, a haircut or trim based on breed and preference, nail clipping and filing, ear cleaning and eye area cleaning.
    Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
  • Portfolio Integration And Manager Selection For investors who have done the liquidity assessment and concluded that private credit is appropriate for a portion of their portfolio, manager selection is the dominant variable.
    Jason Kirsch, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Verb
  • Prince William joined her on the outing with a break from his usual navy suiting, instead rocking a beige suit jacket.
    Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 29 June 2026
  • This has been visible during Menšík’s run, with the combination of high bounce (in the first week’s heat) and slow conditions (in the cooler weather during the second) suiting his strike zone and contact point.
    Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 5 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fitting. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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