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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
Erik and Lyle Menendez have been granted an early parole suitability hearing, tentatively scheduled for March 2027, a spokesperson for the family says. Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 7 Sep. 2026 The succession of scandals sparked an open discussion in the country about her suitability to the role of Queen, with some experts even laying out possible options for her withdrawal from royal duties. Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Together, these updates are intended to make TickTalk 6 suitable for everyday family life, from routine communication and activity tracking to travel and changing schedules. Jon Stojan, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 Before Getting Started While detergent alternatives can work for many garments, many aren’t suitable for delicate fabrics. Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for suitability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suitability
Noun
  • But if that lens doesn’t include cultural intelligence, cultural appropriateness or a prompt to consider how different types of consumers could receive the campaign, those factors may never be evaluated.
    Sonia Thompson, Forbes.com, 28 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
  • There is a broad debate over the applicability of PNB to modern anti-trust cases, with many legal scholars finding the application of a random number, without any real analysis of the potential harm a merger might cause, to be a fatal flaw.
    Shubha Ghosh, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The study focused on young, fit, predominantly male participants, which limits its applicability to older or less conditioned groups.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • International recognition highlights the project's growing relevance.
    Ali Asif Shawon, NPR, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Business development starts with ensuring your brand appears prominently in LLM results and that those results reinforce credibility, relevance and trust.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The owner of the files caught Krebs’ attention after showing the journalist a scan of his Virginia drivers license, strongly supporting the leak’s validity.
    Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The report suggests considering inventory exposure, material-supply risk, and residual value, then developing responses with both economic and ecological validity.
    Cleo Levin, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Even if astronauts never go to Mars, the usefulness of this technique on Earth is clear.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • In the ongoing debate about the usefulness of data centers, or the overwhelming curse of the same, both sides have their arguments.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Gabriele Polcari, a Formula Medicine physiotherapist working with Lucchini, stated that cooling equipment is merely a last line of defense, with fitness preparation being the primary focus.
    Patrick Iversen, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • While some via ferratas cater to expert rock climbers looking for tough challenges, Tahoe’s encourages visitors of all ages and fitness levels to try it out and test their abilities.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Amazon also said 92 percent of Sponsored Products ads are not given to the highest bidder because the company selects winners based on a combination of price and relevancy to the keyword search.
    Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Some brands, such as Lululemon and Ralph Lauren,have managed to maintain relevancy and sales.
    Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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