Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

pertinent

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of pertinent

having to do with the matter at hand

  • he impressed the jury with his concise, pertinent answers to the attorneyʼs questions
Synonyms of pertinent

applicable, apposite, apropos, germane, material, pointed, relative, relevant
Words Related to pertinent

appropriate, apt, fit, fitting, suitable

important, meaningful, significant

sensible, useful

admissible, allowable
Phrases Synonymous with pertinent

to the point
Near Antonyms of pertinent

frivolous, inconsequential, insignificant, little, minor, negligible, slight, trifling, trivial, unimportant

meaningless, purposeless, senseless, useless

inappropriate, inapt, unsuitable

inadmissible
Antonyms of pertinent

extraneous, immaterial, impertinent, inapplicable, inapposite, irrelative, irrelevant, pointless

Synonym Discussion of pertinent

relevant, germane, material, pertinent, apposite, applicable, apropos mean relating to or bearing upon the matter in hand. relevant implies a traceable, significant, logical connection.
    • found material relevant to her case
germane may additionally imply a fitness for or appropriateness to the situation or occasion.
    • a point not germane to the discussion
material implies so close a relationship that it cannot be dispensed with without serious alteration of the case.
    • facts material to the investigation
pertinent stresses a clear and decisive relevance.
    • a pertinent observation
apposite suggests a felicitous relevance.
    • add an apposite quotation to the definition
applicable suggests the fitness of bringing a general rule or principle to bear upon a particular case.
    • the rule is not applicable in this case
apropos suggests being both relevant and opportune.
    • the quip was apropos

Learn More about pertinent

  1. Dictionary: Definition of pertinent Spanish Central: Translation of pertinent Nglish: Translation of pertinent for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pertinent for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up pertinent? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games