1
as in polite
following the established traditions of refined society and good taste
the formal ball called for proper attire—tuxedos and full-length gowns only
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in correct
being in agreement with the truth or a fact or a standard
there is really more than one proper way to pronounce that word in English
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in formal
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details
we had nodded and said hello to one another but had never had a proper introduction
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in appropriate
meeting the requirements of a purpose or situation
you'll need to have a proper diet if you want to lose weight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in distinguishing
serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group
malaria and other diseases that are proper to the tropics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of proper
After bassist Rourke died in 2023, a proper reunion was no longer possible.
—
Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2025
In Episode 2, wouldn’t tech-savvy Claudette have a proper iPhone case that would survive a three-story belly flop?
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 5 Sep. 2025
The Los Angeles raids, which began with a blitz of Home Depots, car washes and an apparel factory, are an extension of what Bovino considers the Border Patrol’s proper role.
—Elliot Spagat, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Beef measured outside of the proper temperature range for reheating.
—Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proper
Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2025
In Episode 2, wouldn’t tech-savvy Claudette have a proper iPhone case that would survive a three-story belly flop?
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 5 Sep. 2025
The Los Angeles raids, which began with a blitz of Home Depots, car washes and an apparel factory, are an extension of what Bovino considers the Border Patrol’s proper role.
—Elliot Spagat, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Beef measured outside of the proper temperature range for reheating.
—Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proper
Adjective
-
Everything here is just better — the way animals are treated, people are polite.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Of course, the only thing unique about Cluely’s sales pitch is its bluntness; plenty of other AI companies have been selling the same thing using more polite and socially acceptable language for years.—
Bryce Hoffman,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
And of that 130, there are between 20 and 30 examples that are actually full spec, or still in their correct configuration.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
2 Sep. 2025
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Perhaps Cleve is correct that the AI stack is wide enough, deep enough and varied enough to create opportunities for lots of different vertical and regional players.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Armani, who had already introduced unstructured jackets for men and women, was part of the generation of designers who ushered in a less formal fashion era, one that would allow men and women to look refined without looking stuffy.—
Belinda Luscombe,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The meeting took place on the sidelines of celebrations in Beijing to mark the anniversary of Japan's formal surrender in World War Two.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Community policing, which is a collaboration between police and the community to solve problems, and the use-of-force continuum – the escalating series of appropriate actions an officer may take to resolve a situation – also form part of training.—
Luke William Hunt,
The Conversation,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Plants produce a large, fleshy underground storage organ (the bulb) that, at the appropriate time of year, and in response to a certain set of environmental conditions, sends out a spray of strap-like leaves and one or more stalks that end in one or more flowers.—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
On a scale of one to five, an average or satisfactory experience is a three.—
Shep Hyken,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
-
Of those, six — including five children — are in satisfactory condition.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Now, researchers at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities have developed aerial robots that fly directly into the smoke, gathering data that could make forecasts far more accurate.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Prices were accurate at the time of publication.—
Roxanne Downer,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Cutely line them up along the mantel with candles or lanterns, or add them to a nice tray with a few jack-o’-lanterns.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Sep. 2025
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The beef is tender, and the broth has that nice aromatic spice that is immediately soothing and associated with a classic beef noodle soup.—
Shindy Chen,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Questions over the midfielder being a suitable captain arose when his form dipped in the 2024-25 season.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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This long-sleeve dress is suitable for multiple occasions and easy to style.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Proper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proper. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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