appropriate 1 of 2

appropriate

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective appropriate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of appropriate are apt, felicitous, fitting, fit, happy, meet, proper, and suitable. While all these words mean "right with respect to some end, need, use, or circumstance," appropriate implies eminent or distinctive fitness.

an appropriate gift

In what contexts can apt take the place of appropriate?

In some situations, the words apt and appropriate are roughly equivalent. However, apt connotes a fitness marked by nicety and discrimination.

apt quotations

When would felicitous be a good substitute for appropriate?

The synonyms felicitous and appropriate are sometimes interchangeable, but felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful.

a felicitous phrase

When might fit be a better fit than appropriate?

The words fit and appropriate can be used in similar contexts, but fit stresses adaptability and sometimes special readiness for use or action.

fit for battle

When could fitting be used to replace appropriate?

Although the words fitting and appropriate have much in common, fitting implies harmony of mood or tone.

a fitting end

Where would happy be a reasonable alternative to appropriate?

The meanings of happy and appropriate largely overlap; however, happy suggests what is effectively or successfully appropriate.

a happy choice of words

When is meet a more appropriate choice than appropriate?

While in some cases nearly identical to appropriate, meet suggests a just proportioning.

meet payment

When is it sensible to use proper instead of appropriate?

The words proper and appropriate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom.

proper acknowledgement

When can suitable be used instead of appropriate?

While the synonyms suitable and appropriate are close in meaning, suitable implies an answering to requirements or demands.

clothes suitable for camping

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 appropriate
Adjective
Maui Health takes these concerns and the safety of its patients very seriously and will cooperate with authorities as appropriate. Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2025 Use the appropriate protective gear before starting this project. Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
The decision leaves in place a lower court’s ruling blocking the Office of Management and Budget from choking off funds to states that Congress had appropriated, as state attorneys general push back against the Trump administration’s efforts to unilaterally cut spending. Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025 According to an analysis by health policy research group KFF, U.S. contributions have grown over the past 10 years from $175 million in fiscal 2014 to $300 million in fiscal 2024, which is the highest amount appropriated to Gavi thus far. Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for appropriate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appropriate
Adjective
  • This content is not, nor is intended to be, trading or investment advice or a recommendation that any investment product or strategy is suitable for any person.
    JJ Kinahan, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • This lightweight and very liquid formula is suitable for all skin types.
    Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • At that point, Hamas had emerged victorious in elections and seized power amid a violent rift with the PA's leading Fatah faction, still led by Arafat's successor, President Mahmoud Abbas.
    Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has been fighting a multi-front war against pro-democracy fighters and ethnic armed groups after seizing power in 2021, with credible and widespread reports of atrocities against the people.
    Ross Adkin, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Coop is fired from his high-profile finance job, starts stealing from his wealthy neighbors to keep up his lifestyle, chaos ensues, and get your popcorn ready.
    Danielle Pergament, SELF, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The biggest concern for cemetery board members is the bronze doors stolen from three mausoleums, which can be worth more than $10,000 per set.
    PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Nitrous oxide inactivates vitamin B12 in the body, a crucial nutrient for the formation of red blood cells and the proper functioning of the nervous system.
    Ella Jeffries, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The government insisted the nonprofits didn't have standing to bring this case on behalf of the employees because the employees themselves needed go through the proper, yet limited, channels to challenge their firings, with each employee fighting his or her own battle.
    Christina Gatti, NPR, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Then, in 2010, the bank where the chips were stored confiscated the chips after opening the deposit box.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The animals were confiscated and given to multiple wildlife agencies for care, according to the post.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Jose Siri, pinch-running for Mark Vientos, swiped second in the top of the eighth, and with one out, Tyrone Taylor singled up the middle off George Soriano to send him home.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Lee totaled three hits, scored two runs and swiped his third base of the season as the Giants beat the Seattle Mariners, 4-1, on Matt Chapman’s bobblehead night, extending their winning streak to six games and improving to 7-1 for the first time since 2003.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But think of it this way: Like a movie or TV show, the plotlines, motivations, and characters are oddly fitting.
    Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Photographer Emilio Madrid snapped Clooney and his costars in performance, providing the pictures in black and white (fitting, given the play is set before color television came to prominence).
    Dave Quinn, People.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • There was not a vast gulf between the teams on Saturday but Wolves had the edge in terms of quality, none more so than substitute Pablo Sarabia, who stepped off the bench to grab a goal and an assist with an ice-cool finish and a clever pass for Strand Larsen.
    Steve Madeley, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Roberts grabbed eight boards vs. Gonzaga in the round of 32, 12 vs. Purdue in the Sweet 16 and 12 more vs. Duke in the Final Four.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Appropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appropriate. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on appropriate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!