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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 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 suitable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suitable
Adjective
  • Under glass, there are the handwritten incorporation papers for Orlando, which was approved by 22 qualified voters.
    Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 June 2025
  • Executive Members also receive an annual 2% reward on qualified purchases, as well as discounts on Costco services.
    James Powel, USA Today, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • These ribbons can be steamed, boiled, or even served raw with an appropriate sauce.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 4 July 2025
  • When asked by the judge near the start of Wednesday’s hours-long hearing, attorneys for the parties could not reach an agreement on an appropriate value for the sanctions.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 July 2025
Adjective
  • See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft at Cyberguy.com/IdentityTheft 10.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2025
  • The most important thing to consider when determining if a certain plant is a good match for hydrangeas is growing conditions.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 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
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
  • So Bay Area rids itself of a capable player to have to immediately use an on-site sub.
    Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 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
Adjective
  • Computer tools have been assisting with creating résumés for decades, and everything from the typewriter to word processors to spellcheck and résumé templates have increased the ease of making a competent résumé.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 24 June 2025
  • Nobody will care how much control the quarterback has if the Steelers can finally put a competent, explosive offense on the field.
    Tribune Content Agency, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • Pair a fitted fringe skirt with a zebra print crop top, sunglasses, and a cowboy hat for a fun and flirty look.
    Dominique Fluker, Essence, 25 June 2025
  • The rest of the possible inclusions are one or two pillowcases, a fitted and flat sheet and a bed skirt.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 24 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Suitable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suitable. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on suitable

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