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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 Golden laughed when asked about Martin’s chatter, and the read-between-the-lines answer was clear: Not much of what Martin says is suitable for print (or work). Lindsay Schnell, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025 Influencers' endorsements often prioritize trends, social engagement and popularity over scientific evidence ... and blanket statements that may not be suitable for everyone. Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025 Securities, investment products, other financial products or strategies discussed herein may not be suitable for all investors. Katie Stockton, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2025 Volunteers will be on hand to ensure that the waste is suitable for composting and to provide guidance on composting practices. Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for suitable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suitable
Adjective
  • However, there aren’t many qualified factory workers without jobs.
    Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Contributions are only tax deductible if made to a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
    John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The LLMs also recommended mental health assessments to these patients approximately six to seven times more often than what the validating physicians deemed appropriate and more than twice as often as the control group.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
  • At the same time, have the appropriate confidence in you and your support circle to deal with whatever life throws your way.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • After a week full of monstrous swings, the S&P 500 posted its best weekly performance since November 23, while the Nasdaq saw its best week since November 2022, according to the financial data firm FactSet.
    Anne Marie Drummond Lee, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Shorts are the only categories whose winners are ineligible for best picture, acting, screenplay or any other major Oscar, due to their length.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Adjective
  • Our objective is to cultivate a movement that’s capable of persuading as many Americans as possible to support sane, rational, and morally upstanding policy.
    Noah Rothman, National Review, 2 Apr. 2025
  • An object reaching a 10 on the Torino Scale would be a collision capable of causing a global catastrophe.
    Amanda Kooser, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • In the case filed with the Singapore High Court, the elder Kwek accused Sherman of instigating a boardroom coup by appointing two new board members without proper vetting by the nomination committee.
    Jonathan Burgos, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • As for next year, a lot's on the players, but there's just as much riding on what our dubiously competent GM does over the summer.
    Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
  • But the film has no time for matinee idols or Hollywood heroism, casting them as highly competent cogs in a machine that prizes teamwork over individual valor.
    Thomas Page, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Her straight-leg jeans are a relaxed silhouette—not baggy, but not quite fitted—and her trench coat is kept open and unbelted.
    Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Currently on sale for just $53, this flattering top features a more fitted look that can be styled buttoned to the top or left open as a lightweight in-flight layer.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 25 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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