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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
More plausibly, CPUs, GPUs, AI accelerators, HPC and quantum resources will coexist, selected driven by workload economics and suitability. — Rajjie Sarmey, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 His suitability for the role is also sharply limited by his understandable loyalty to Grace. — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Rising global temperatures and shorter winters expand the area suitable for mosquitoes to live in and transmit viruses that cause diseases. — Kylee Rae Noel, The Conversation, 27 Oct. 2026 However, the record does not establish that the configuration is suitable for ordinary motorcycle use on water or for routine amphibious transportation. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for suitability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suitability
Noun
  • And if there is a credible question about a speaker’s appropriateness, the library should investigate and act rationally based on actual evidence.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026
  • As many as 11 sketches were removed, including a self-referential skit in which David Mitchell and Robert Webb joked about the appropriateness of Blackface while in Blackface.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The general applicability became clear over the subsequent years.
    — Karl Deisseroth, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Noun
  • Attorney General Blanche, however, downplayed the relevance of the rule in comments to reporters last week.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Maritaş Denim marketing chief Gizem Yaşar said a key theme emerging from recent buyer conversations is balancing innovation and commercial relevance.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The latter predicts a single universe by denying the universal validity of Schrödinger’s equation.
    — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • According to the court, while NetChoice could challenge the validity of the Georgia law, the group had not sufficiently argued that enforcement of the law would be unconstitutional.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • She is driven by the belief that animals deserve happiness and love and that their lifespan should, in no way, depend on their usefulness to humans.
    — Lisa Hughes, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Menopause affects people differently, and the usefulness of a change depends on both the individual and the job.
    — Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 21 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • There is no wellness experience too niche for the center which offers a hair salon, nail bar, yoga studio, fitness room and Pilates classes with the hip boutique studio The Beat, opening onto a panoramic terrace.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The Nevada Independent reports that Lombardo’s campaign has used those issues to question Ford’s fitness, while Ford says the clemency matter followed procedure and disputes the criticism.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Last but certainly not least, there’s the focus on communicating local relevancy as a differentiator without weakening brand equity and DNA.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • It’s since maintained its cultural relevancy, with the artist performing it as part of her DIY pop-up sets, staged from the back of a U-Haul truck.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Suitability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suitability. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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