suitability 1 of 2

Definition of suitabilitynext

suitable

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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
Hard carbon from lignin has undergone testing and showed strong suitability for storing sodium ions as well as great cycle stability. Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 22 Jan. 2026 Some funds also impose additional net-worth or suitability requirements. Fred Hubler, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
There are many approaches to growing vegetables outside, and a range of methods suitable to different conditions including sunlight exposure, soil, budget, and available space. Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 5 Feb. 2026 With their vote, commissioners signaled that Project Baccara is environmentally suitable, as outlined by state statute. Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 4 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for suitability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suitability
Noun
  • Common Sense Media's Risk Assessment of AI Toys Common Sense Media tested three popular AI toys on the market for technical performance, content safety, developmental appropriateness, privacy practices, and attachment risks.
    Sarah Scott, Parents, 22 Jan. 2026
  • Then, last January, the City Council voted for a certificate of appropriateness that paved the way for the Tin Shop building to either be relocated or demolished in the future.
    Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Having earned degrees in political science and history at Ohio’s Miami University, Nixon was arguably over-qualified to be a roots-rocking, hell-raising provocateur who somehow was embraced by MTV for several years and went on to become the host of several shows on Sirius XM Radio.
    George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Offering interviews to any qualified applicant for an open position and including images of male servers in promotional materials that depict front-of-house employees.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Picking an airport-appropriate outfit is never straightforward.
    Adam Cheung, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Lower per-unit prices do not translate into lower total cost if utilization expands inefficiently or without appropriate indication.
    Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • These workflows support inspection and manipulation tasks, while multimodal perception capabilities extend applicability to retail and service environments.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 4 Feb. 2026
  • To the extent that a reader has any questions regarding the applicability of any specific issue discussed above to his/her individual situation, he/she is encouraged to consult with the professional advisor of his/her choosing, including a tax advisor and/or attorney.
    Steve Hruby, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The numbers have been slowly ticking up for over a year – a rare bit of good news for a government that has spent billions of dollars for more than a decade encouraging people to do just that.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Scroll through the week’s best of celebrity beauty and pop culture’s glam below, and head to the app to vote for your favorite.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing.
    Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2026
  • This goal, this moment, was a fitting reward for his patience and dedication.
    James McNicholas, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • And the remaining four — Adam Sandler, Chase Infiniti, Sydney Sweeney and Jeremy Allen White — are nothing to sneeze at either, in terms of both artistic achievement and of-the-moment cultural relevance.
    Todd Longwell, Variety, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Grossing over $7 million in its first weekend, the number is being presented as proof of audience demand, cultural relevance, and cinematic success.
    Debbie Millman, Time, 4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The production took place at MIT’s Bates Research and Engineering Center using a massive, room-sized industrial 3D printer capable of processing 80 pounds of material per hour.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Remember all that stuff Horford and Porziņģis were capable of doing on offense?
    Zach Harper, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Suitability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suitability. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.

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