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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
  • Mazda and racing partnerships OpenAI is testing its models with industry partners to evaluate their usefulness in real engineering environments.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The same technology might eventually support searches for missing people, although Astro's usefulness still needs to be demonstrated during actual police operations.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • The project would include a splash pad, waterpark and pool restoration as well as pickleball courts, running track upgrades, outdoor fitness stations, an inclusive playground, and safety fencing around the club’s playground.
    — Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Built in 1852, the bright white building serves as a luxury hotel, fitness center, and spa.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • These campaigns, whether orchestrated or organic, happen to people with much less cachet and long-standing cultural relevancy than I.
    — Ivy Wolk, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Together with our cross-functional teams, Lally is charged with driving influence, brand relevancy and desirability across Ralph Lauren’s portfolio of brands and categories worldwide.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Suitability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suitability. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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