suitability 1 of 2

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
Adjective
Finding venues of suitable size and cost is critical. Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 3 July 2025 And finding a suitable location for it was easier than Cunningham thought. Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 While not all the falls are suitable for littler visitors, Tennessee State Parks has a helpful guide on where to go, including spots that offer camping and lodging. Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 This new moon is particularly suitable for projects or processes that have to do with your well-being, your home, your family, or your emotional balance. Danijela Pilic, Glamour, 24 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for suitability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suitability
Adjective
  • The property may include a preservation easement — a voluntary legal arrangement between a property owner and a qualified organization to protect the home from alteration or demolition.
    The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2025
  • At the plate, Story went from one of the worst qualified hitters in the sport in May to now leading American League shortstops in home runs (15) and runs batted in (57).
    Tim Crowley, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • These ribbons can be steamed, boiled, or even served raw with an appropriate sauce.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 4 July 2025
  • But through that time, the boy has received appropriate care.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 4 July 2025
Adjective
  • The Chiefs will finally open training camp with their best receivers having a foundation.
    Sam McDowell July 6, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2025
  • After all, how often would Canada's biggest hockey market have a chance to acquire Canada's best player?
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025
Adjective
  • Maybe Bernie Ecclestone was right about fitting racetracks with sprinklers.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 7 July 2025
  • The Fourth of July is all about celebrating freedom — and really, what’s more fitting than free stuff?
    Julia Gomez, Austin American Statesman, 4 July 2025
Noun
  • What distinguishes valuable insight is not its novelty of origin, but its clarity, coherence and relevance.
    Chris Reed, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025
  • Her analysis demonstrates Douglass’s historical foresight, reinforcing his ongoing relevance.
    Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 4 July 2025
Adjective
  • In their wins against Arsenal in the UCL semis and Inter Milan in the final, this young, balanced roster looked capable of piling up several trophies in the years to come.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
  • Those engines are capable of running on diesel, kerosene or jet-A fuel.
    Ben Coxworth July 07, New Atlas, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • Eggs themselves are not a source of collagen—but the egg white specifically contains proline and glycine, two essential amino acids for proper collagen production.
    Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 1 July 2025
  • The potential disasters of treating art like traditional investments far outweigh the cost of proper planning.
    Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • One possibility that didn’t come up at the meeting: White could file a lawsuit questioning the validity of the signatures on the recall petitions.
    Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2025
  • Recently, some researchers have questioned the validity of the glass cliff theory.
    Kim Elsesser, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Suitability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suitability. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

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