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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
He was denied parole in July 2025, and his next parole suitability hearing is scheduled for July 2028. Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 16 July 2026 Other cities, including New York City and Boston, also administer gun-licensing systems with subjective moral-character or suitability standards. George A. Mocsary, The Conversation, 7 July 2026
Adjective
It’s also built for maximum comfort with a wide elastic waistband and a cooling, 100 percent cotton design suitable for even the hottest days. Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026 Kwan-Feinberg said the procedure is not suitable for most women with breast cancer. Martha Ross, Mercury News, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for suitability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suitability
Noun
  • The article raises ethical questions about AI's role in detecting abuse or self-harm, age appropriateness, and its long-term impact on family dynamics, potentially becoming a generational mental health advisor.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Decisions should be based on educational value, age appropriateness, and professional review while ensuring parents, educators, and community members have a voice in the process.
    Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 July 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
  • Brands can still buy impressions, but paid reach alone is less likely to generate cultural relevance.
    Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Rather than relying on public attention or product demonstrations, the study assessed innovation through patent portfolios using the firm’s Patent Asset Index, which measures patent portfolio size, technological relevance, and market coverage.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • As part of his plea, Kohberger waived the right to appeal, but that does not preclude him from filing a new case challenging the validity of his plea agreement.
    Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
  • As Nora’s speech and Catherine’s kind moments suggest, characters’ actions don’t consistently reflect their overall moral stance, which is often based on misunderstandings and falsehoods, its validity unknowable even to them.
    Judy Berman, Time, 27 July 2026
Noun
  • Once a measure becomes the target, its usefulness rapidly declines because people change their behavior to improve the score.
    Michael Edmondson, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Chiron turns retrograde in your 6th House of Work and Wellness, stirring old sensitivity around productivity, usefulness, or the pressure to keep pushing when your system is clearly asking for adjustment.
    Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Beyond golf, club amenities include dining venues, a fitness and wellness center, three tennis courts, four pickleball courts and a junior Olympic-size swimming pool with cabanas and a hot tub.
    Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Aug. 2026
  • New additions include Target, Life Time fitness, In-N-Out, Parlor Doughnuts, Kura Sushi and others.
    Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 1 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • First-year Florida coach Jon Sumrall faces a significant challenge reviving the Gators after a dismal 4-8 season and a lack of relevancy in recent years.
    Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • Don’t make changes, and you’re accused of being a dusty, immovable relic that fights to maintain relevancy.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 23 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Suitability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suitability. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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