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
Still, this is not a building that should worry too much about fitting in. Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 The enchanting look was fitting for a free-spirited witch lounging around her candlelit home sanctuary, as Kidman’s character Gillian might do. Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
Return to medium-high heat, cover pan with a tight-fitting lid, and cook until mussels open and sauce is bubbling, 5–7 minutes. Claire Wadsworth, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026 According to Mubi’s head of theatrical marketing, Matt Goldman, that reaction is especially fitting considering Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma’s movie-within-a-movie subplot. Chris Lee, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fitting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fitting
Adjective
  • My friend Paul Davis, the great artist and illustrator, even did an impressive painting of a rat, yet neither of us could convince our editors that this urban reality was a suitable topic for an upscale city magazine.
    Gloria Steinem, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026
  • City had intended to replace every outgoing, but in the end felt that Nico O’Reilly would be a suitable option in midfield in place of Gonzalez, as they are well stocked at left-back with Josko Gvardiol and Rayan Ait-Nouri.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Sanguinetti’s cinematography balances striking compositions befitting her photography career with a more immediate verité style content to be as freewheeling as Guillermina and Belinda were as children.
    Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
  • But four years later, Jost and Davidson have finally found an idea befitting their strange investment.
    Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Flying private is more popular than ever, but the luxury experience and its corresponding price tag makes these flights out of reach for most people.
    Elliott Harrell, Travel + Leisure, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Election officials would submit voters’ names, addresses, and corresponding barcode information through a federal portal.
    Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • As more homes become available in many markets, sellers are increasingly adjusting prices to attract qualified buyers heading into the fall homebuying season.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The 49ers have been Down Under for more than a week, adjusting their body clocks in the traditional manner and winning over thousands of Aussie fans who appreciate their commitment to the historic moment.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • There was nothing fluky about the victory Western Michigan was preparing to celebrate.
    Austin Meek, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • But behind the crisp white tablecloths, strict dress code and expensive steak dinners was a kitchen full of immigrant workers washing dishes, preparing food and keeping the restaurant running.
    Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Living areas span the entire upper deck, with four guest cabins and the owner’s suite on the main deck (accommodating up to 10 guests in total) alongside a dedicated gym and spa area.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Another issue the event faced was accommodating everyone who wanted to attend.
    Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Casual straw boater hats were only appropriate during summer months—specifically from May 15 (Straw Hat Day) to September 15 (Felt Hat Day).
    Michele Metych Britannica Editors Sep. 4, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Parton also made an effort to contribute to causes such as child literacy with her Imagination Library program, which mails a free age-appropriate book to children every month from birth to fifth grade.
    Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • Operational databases—often NoSQL systems—excel at reacting to change instantly and fetching individual records with almost no delay, suiting situations where the business must act on new data in near real time.
    Kevin Mathrani, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fitting. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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