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
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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
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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
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5
as in distinguishing
serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group
malaria and other diseases that are proper to the tropics
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in appropriateness
the quality or state of being especially suitable or fitting
questioned the properness of having any curfew at all for people of college age
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of proper
New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2025
Heat Star Linked to East Rival in Blockbuster Deal
Because the club isn't quite good enough, Chicago hasn't emerged out of the play-in to advance into the playoffs proper in any of those three seasons.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
The suit claims the school failed to provide proper protective equipment and training to Wei.
—John Wisely, Freep.com, 18 Aug. 2025
To get the cast and crew in the proper headspace for filming the crime thriller, Caron hosted a Portland-area screening of John Cassavetes’ Gloria (1980).
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proper
Adjective
The convertible lounge at the front of the van serves as the second room, combining the three-seat rear bench, two cab swivel seats and removable dining table into a proper dining space.
—New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2025
Heat Star Linked to East Rival in Blockbuster Deal
Because the club isn't quite good enough, Chicago hasn't emerged out of the play-in to advance into the playoffs proper in any of those three seasons.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
The suit claims the school failed to provide proper protective equipment and training to Wei.
—John Wisely, Freep.com, 18 Aug. 2025
To get the cast and crew in the proper headspace for filming the crime thriller, Caron hosted a Portland-area screening of John Cassavetes’ Gloria (1980).
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proper
Adjective
-
Tia Glover, with her sharp British wit, looks primed to challenge Potomac’s polite veneers.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
28 Aug. 2025
-
The note explained their situation in a polite and understanding way, apologizing for any noise their own children might make.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Trump and his appointees have loudly asserted that their vision for science in America is the correct one, representing truth rather than politics.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
23 Aug. 2025
-
Without additional information, astronomers can't determine which of these possibilities is correct.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Kobe never laid out the Mamba Mentality as a formal, step-by-step framework.—
True Tamplin,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
-
Yet these benefits will primarily help those that already have access to a bank—and not the more than one billion that still lack access to formal financial systems.—
Sopnendu Mohanty,
Fortune,
24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The President and the Trump White House are fully committed to working with the appropriate organizations to preserving the special history of the White House while building a beautiful ballroom that can be enjoyed by future Administrations and generations of Americans to come.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
-
From developing a project's financial structure to securing appropriate permits and zoning permissions to actual site construction, developers face a potentially long road to realizing their projects.—
Leo Bertucci,
The Courier-Journal,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The mic did a satisfactory job handling some background noise, though, effectively neutralizing it enough to keep my voice clear.—
Mark Knapp,
PC Magazine,
25 Aug. 2025
-
During an appellate court hearing last September, Trump’s lawyers argued that many of the case’s allegations were too old and that James had misused a consumer protection law to sue Trump over private business transactions that were satisfactory to those involved.—
Jennifer Peltz,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
23 Aug. 2025
-
What follows is an overview of more accurate sources of knowledge about admission.—
Brennan Barnard,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Until Judkins plays, Sampson is a timeshare piece with a nice burst and receiving upside.—
Jake Ciely,
New York Times,
2 Sep. 2025
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When the weather is nice, fans can take in a concert at outdoor spaces like The Lawn (also at the Surf Hotel) and The Beach, located 6 miles south of town on the banks of the Arkansas River.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Spectrum's plans are suitable for households needing reliable speeds for multiple users.—
Roxanne Downer,
USA Today,
23 Aug. 2025
-
While lawyers enjoy the same freedom of speech as anyone else, not every topic is suitable for comment.—
Peter Boyd,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Proper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proper. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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