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Definition of suitabilitynext
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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
Lumen Field ratings from The Athletic Seattle's venue got perfect marks from The Athletic for location, aesthetics and suitability for the sport. Zachary Fletcher, USA Today, 22 June 2026 Check not only what’s in the plan line-by-line, but confirm structural elements, scale and measurements, and the suitability of plants for your garden conditions. Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2026
Adjective
Some of television’s most successful formats – including live news, sports and game shows – weren’t suitable for theaters. Hernan Lopez, Variety, 10 July 2026 Investigators said the property’s conditions were not suitable for the animals living there. Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for suitability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suitability
Noun
  • After a presentation and discussion on April 14, the Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board voted to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the project but with conditions and limitations.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 9 July 2026
  • Genuine results are derived from the ability to assess and influence real-time payment decisions regarding appropriateness and alignment with actual costs of care.
    Bruce Roffe, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • Still, the reason Belmont endures is its plain language and broad applicability.
    Stephanie Haridopolos, Baltimore Sun, 9 July 2026
  • Set that against Microsoft's research mapping AI applicability across occupations, which scores knowledge and information work highest and physical labor lowest, and an unnerving pattern surfaces.
    Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • Nike has global scale, athlete relationships, product history, distribution reach, and cultural relevance that most companies would love to have.
    Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • Chief Deputy Utah County Attorney Chad Grunander questioned the relevance of bringing in Oliver as a witness.
    Hannah Schoenbaum, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026
Noun
  • The photo only led to more questions about McConnell’s health as many people doubted the photo’s validity.
    Zack Sharf, Variety, 13 July 2026
  • Garbrandt didn’t really complain after Dean’s decision, and that’s a major indicator of the validity of the ref’s decision.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 12 July 2026
Noun
  • Their focus is on speed, reusability and homegrown security rather than payload, limiting their usefulness for the military.
    Gerry Doyle, Fortune, 13 July 2026
  • But even though the company had quickly grown into a market leader, Bensamoun kept hearing customers complain about the device's usefulness.
    Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 11 July 2026
Noun
  • Millions of people around the world wear smart rings and fitness trackers to keep tabs on their sleep, workouts, heart rate and even body temperature, all in the name of better understanding their health.
    Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
  • Then, Djokovic had the skills to blow his opponents away, but could also grind them down if needed, knowing that his superior fitness and durability would more than likely win out.
    Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Noun
  • Names that balanced regional pride, cultural relevancy, and just the right amount of dad-joke magic.
    Mark Glende, Twin Cities, 2 July 2026
  • If the Mets are looking to charge back into relevancy — in some fashion despite being trade deadline sellers — Lindor will need to return in vintage form to charge the clubhouse.
    James O'Connell, New York Daily News, 22 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Suitability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suitability. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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