suitability 1 of 2

Definition of suitabilitynext

suitable

2 of 2

adjective

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective suitable differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of suitable are appropriate, apt, felicitous, fitting, fit, happy, meet, and proper. While all these words mean "right with respect to some end, need, use, or circumstance," suitable implies an answering to requirements or demands.

clothes suitable for camping

In what contexts can appropriate take the place of suitable?

The meanings of appropriate and suitable largely overlap; however, appropriate implies eminent or distinctive fitness.

an appropriate gift

Where would apt be a reasonable alternative to suitable?

The synonyms apt and suitable are sometimes interchangeable, but apt connotes a fitness marked by nicety and discrimination.

apt quotations

When could felicitous be used to replace suitable?

In some situations, the words felicitous and suitable are roughly equivalent. However, felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful.

a felicitous phrase

When is fit a more appropriate choice than suitable?

While in some cases nearly identical to suitable, fit stresses adaptability and sometimes special readiness for use or action.

fit for battle

When would fitting be a good substitute for suitable?

While the synonyms fitting and suitable are close in meaning, fitting implies harmony of mood or tone.

a fitting end

When might happy be a better fit than suitable?

The words happy and suitable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, happy suggests what is effectively or successfully appropriate.

a happy choice of words

When is it sensible to use meet instead of suitable?

The words meet and suitable can be used in similar contexts, but meet suggests a just proportioning.

meet payment

When can proper be used instead of suitable?

Although the words proper and suitable have much in common, proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom.

proper acknowledgement

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 suitability
Noun
However, when considering its suitability to beginners, this telescope is impressive, especially for its even cheaper price point over Black Friday weekend. Chris McMullen, Space.com, 28 Mar. 2026 The project has developed a multistage process that begins with analyzing multiple paper types to determine their suitability for the heat treatment process. Etiido Uko march 28, New Atlas, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
The property also has dry tent camping and three partial-hookup RV sites suitable for everything from campervans to fifth wheels. Michael D'estries, Travel + Leisure, 6 May 2026 Each tumbler is dishwasher-safe and suitable for both hot and cold drinks. Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for suitability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suitability
Noun
  • But the city says the Historic Preservation Board should still weigh in on the project’s overall design and decide whether to grant the hotel a certificate of appropriateness, based on compatibility with the surrounding area and other criteria.
    Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
  • This week, the 11-member Historic and Design Review Commission unanimously voted to issue a certificate of appropriateness for the second phase, an important requirement the city had to secure before applying for other permits and awarding a construction contract.
    Megan Rodriguez, San Antonio Express-News, 20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • At that time, around 200 public hospitals, along with federally qualified health centers, were eligible for 340B pricing.
    Dené K. Dryden, Twin Cities, 8 May 2026
  • This can be accomplished by offering temporary assistance with qualified providers combined with zero-tolerance enforcement of existing anti-camping laws.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Adjective
  • San Diego Superior Court Judge Katherine Bacal heard arguments Friday, May 8, from both the city and state regarding the appropriate penalty amount for violating state housing laws, as well as the effective start date for those fines.
    Claire Wang, Oc Register, 9 May 2026
  • What is appropriate to appropriate?
    Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 8 May 2026
Noun
  • These factors reduce the applicability and appeal to venture-style funding.
    Samuel Mueller, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
  • The research team also revealed that their strategy is a highly effective approach for improving not only the thermoelectric and mechanical performances of Ag2Se but also its applicability in curved or flexible energy harvesting devices.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • While the new stadium deal has generated a lot of good press in the days since it was announced, both Swanston and Singh acknowledge that things are extremely early in the process.
    P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026
  • Illinois Wesleyan recruit Conor McCabe went 2-for-4 and delivered a three-run double in the fifth inning to put the Knights (13-11, 6-5) ahead for good.
    Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
Adjective
  • How fitting, then, that a primitive predator from five hundred and sixty million years ago, a fossilized example of which was discovered near where the young David grew up, should have been named Auroralumina attenboroughii in his honor.
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
  • The San Francisco Giants announced a fitting tribute to one of the best players in the history of Major League Baseball on Wednesday afternoon.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
Noun
  • Granted, many of the commentators offering these predictions are employed by traditional universities, and might tend to believe more strongly in the enduring relevance of the academy.
    Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 5 May 2026
  • What began as an early 20th-century invention for flexible entertaining space in tight apartments bears as much relevance today.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 5 May 2026
Adjective
  • The move comes as many companies are increasingly looking to agents — AI capable of taking on and executing relatively complex tasks — as a way to boost employee productivity and automate rote chores.
    Jared Perlo, NBC news, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Such a high-data future requires infrastructure capable of handling it.
    Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Suitability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suitability. Accessed 12 May. 2026.

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