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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 suitable There is no evidence the new beaches will be suitable for the hatchlings. M. Rajshekhar, Time, 11 Sep. 2025 In its original form, the bill required tech companies to disclose on their platforms that AI chatbots might not be suitable for minors and take steps to reduce addictiveness of their products. Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2025 The commenter explained that nothing was stopping her from hosting a second baby shower suitable for her needs and desires. Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025 Each skillet is pre-seasoned with 100 percent vegetable oil and is suitable for use in the oven and on stovetops, grills—even over a campfire. Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for suitable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suitable
Adjective
  • The tax break allows qualified taxpayers to deduct up to $25,000 in tips a year from their tax bills.
    Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
  • It may be treated as a qualified dividend eligible for a lower tax rate but must pass certain hurdles.
    Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This sweater tank top is appropriate for fall’s crisp weather yet ideal for a warmer day spent outside.
    Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Mop-up and patrol will continue where appropriate to secure and strengthen containment.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The extra point was good but there was a holding penalty on the Rebels.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Sep. 2025
  • After 10 tumultuous years with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Kadri delivered his best campaign with the Colorado Avalanche in 2021-22, posting 89 points in the regular season and finishing by hoisting the Stanley Cup.
    Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • That bout was promoted as his return to the ring after a 19-year retirement and was widely regarded as a fitting sendoff.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Sinzer, as well wine director Ellis Srubas-Giammanco, also just snagged Michelin’s 2024 New York Sommelier award, making Stars a fitting step on their wine journey.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Jupiter, based at Forschungszentrum Jülich in Germany, is one of the fastest in the world, capable of performing 1 quintillion calculations per second.
    Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The upshot is that disk images should be capable of better performance in Tahoe, which will especially benefit virtual machines that rely on disk images.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • After the 1-0 win, Bright spoke to the media about being ‘proper English’.
    Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The proper name for the show is IAA Mobility 2025, short for Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung.
    Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • That said, if privacy protections, a robust reading mode, and various Apple-specific features (such as Continuity and Handoff) are a priority, Safari is a perfectly competent alternative.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Spending guarantees nothing by itself, but if all teams were highly competent, using the time value of money with a rising cap would seem to create a competitive advantage.
    Mike Sando, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • For fitted sheets, follow the same steps, just without the hospital corners.
    Tessa Cooper, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Aug. 2025
  • Both soft and fitted silhouettes can work when highlighting the assets.
    Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Suitable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suitable. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on suitable

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