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
Your ankles, knees, hips and spine all depend on proper foot mechanics for optimal alignment and movement.
—
Dana Santas, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2025
Some of these technologies are essential for ensuring the proper functioning of the service or website and cannot be disabled, while others are optional but serve to enhance the user experience in various ways.
—Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 5 Aug. 2025
Netflix series tied to KC The 2019 Netflix series chronicles the stories of eight families living without proper documentation and under the threat of deportation during the first Trump administration.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2025
Tips for proper form: Make sure your elbows are under your shoulders and your body is straight from head to heels.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proper
Dana Santas, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2025
Some of these technologies are essential for ensuring the proper functioning of the service or website and cannot be disabled, while others are optional but serve to enhance the user experience in various ways.
—Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 5 Aug. 2025
Netflix series tied to KC The 2019 Netflix series chronicles the stories of eight families living without proper documentation and under the threat of deportation during the first Trump administration.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2025
Tips for proper form: Make sure your elbows are under your shoulders and your body is straight from head to heels.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proper
Adjective
-
Most of the time, generative AI has been tuned to be relatively polite and offers mild praise, though a user can easily up the ante by simply telling the AI to pour it on.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
2 Aug. 2025
-
There also were multiple paintings scattered throughout the fictional White House that poke fun at Trump’s military bravado as well as an image that seems to involve Trump and a sheep engaged in an activity not meant for polite company, not to mention that deepfake.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
30 July 2025
Adjective
-
Shocking sensory intakes aside, the sober reality is that the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, no matter how morbid and macabre, were strategically and morally correct.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Aug. 2025
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Liv is the only person that’s beaten Rhea Ripley more than three times, correct?—
Carl Lamarre,
Billboard,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Developing intuition, understanding how the business and industry works and understanding how to navigate within an organization are all skills that only come from getting a few years of experience or through formal training.—
Larry English,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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Avoiding formal termination also helps companies sidestep severance packages and legal risk.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Lucio — leggy, brave, sturdy in the challenge — is probably more appropriate as a reference point.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
8 Aug. 2025
-
The player models and lighting are excellent, with equipment shining and time of day delivering the appropriate immersion.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Those sellers must be enrolled in a production services program, have a report showing the animals producing their milk have been tested for pathogens and have a satisfactory farm water test on file.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
5 Aug. 2025
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Development of the two latter categories is not particularly satisfactory, Hugo Boss conceded.—
Cathrin Schaer,
Footwear News,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Beyond complying with regulations, embedding traceability and life cycle data directly into products can enable leaders in the tech industry to drive smarter product development, more accurate forecasting and stronger supply chain and inventory management.—
Megan Brewster,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Though many military leaders and scientists and politicians describe themselves as experts on the subject of nuclear war, that assessment might not be entirely accurate.—
Andre Mouchard,
Oc Register,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
British puppeteer Rod Hull arrives on set with his ersatz bird that promptly snaps at Carson while playing nice with Richard Pryor on the Tonight Show couch.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Aug. 2025
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Another layer of pastry sits atop the mixture and is covered in crystal sugar, which adds a nice sweetness to contrast the tart filling, as well as a delicate crunch in each bite.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Project Neighbors Executive Director Carmen Vincent said the homes would be suitable for nurses, teachers, grocery store clerks, senior citizens and others who need affordable homes.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Investments in securities entail risk and are not suitable for all investors.—
Andrew Rosen,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Proper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proper. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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