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appropriate

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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
At a news conference Wednesday, Jules Good, who studies disability policy, spoke out against the legislation, noting that many disabilities can become terminal due to lack of access to appropriate care. Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025 Some good news about butterflies The good news is that butterflies can rebound quickly, when given appropriate habitat. Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
According to the Department of Defense, since February 2022, Congress has appropriated about $183 billion for Ukraine’s defense, though Trump has claimed that the U.S. has spent over $300 billion on aid to Ukraine. F. Brinley Bruton, NBC News, 1 Mar. 2025 The court in the past has ruled that Congress decides on federal spending, and the president is obliged to spend funds that were appropriated by Congress. David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 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, 7 Mar. 2025
  • This option is suitable for individuals who enjoy the feel of memory foam but are concerned about overheating.
    Jené Luciani Sena, Fox News, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In a lightning three-week offensive, the M23 took control of eastern Congo's main city Goma and seized the second largest city, Bukavu.
    JANVIER BARHAHIGA AND MONIKA PRONCZUK THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Late last year, a U.K. court ruled that police can seize more than 2.6 million pounds ($3.3 million) to cover years of unpaid taxes from the pair and freeze some of their accounts.
    STEPHEN McGRATH, TIME, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • While its interior artfully blends mid-century aesthetics with a modern Scandinavian feel, the food and beverage program truly steals the spotlight.
    Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
  • While the competitive spirt was certainly alive and well between co-parents Tarek, Heather and Christina throughout the season, another personal crisis unexpectedly stole the show: Christina's split from Josh.
    Colson Thayer, People.com, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The chairman alleged Sherman colluded with some board members to wrest control by making changes to the board’s composition by appointing two new directors without proper vetting by the nominations committee.
    Jonathan Burgos, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The on and off ramps at Exit 74 on I-95 lack the proper acceleration and deceleration lanes that merge on and off I-95.
    Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • President Donald Trump celebrated on Friday after the FBI returned boxes of classified documents that were confiscated during a raid of Mar-a-Lago in 2022.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Personal property confiscated by the FBI during its 2022 search of Mar-a-Lago was boxed up and loaded onto Air Force One to make the journey back to Florida.
    Christian Datoc, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • From matte and hydrating to tinted and opaque, here are the most flattering nude lipsticks to swipe on.
    Claire Sullivan, WWD, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Just a few weeks ago, Birds By Joe 2 was also hit by a brazen robbery, when a young man swiped a $7,000 African grey parrot from the store.
    Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • One that lingers, as intended, across the eight subsequent episodes, and gives the final season a fitting framework as a message of hope for the hopeless.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 Mar. 2025
  • In a way, Rilke’s meditation on dolls might be a fitting analogy for an artist’s experience with her materials.
    Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Tari Eason scored 14 points and Dillon Brooks added 12. Sabonis’ injury Sabonis grabbed his left hamstring while running the floor just over a minute into the game.
    Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Lozano exited the match in the 28th minute after appearing to grab his left hamstring.
    Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Appropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appropriate. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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