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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
This math works out to more than 500,000 people experiencing this specific mood disorder every year, yet many of these folks fail to get a formal diagnosis or appropriate treatment for their condition. Maggie McGrath, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025 The officers took appropriate action and followed their training to use the minimum amount of force necessary to resolve the situation. Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
An initial $3 million appropriated for the program in 2021 was exhausted by 2024. Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2025 After all, this is a man who allegedly appropriated a British coat of arms for display on the gates of his golf courses and resorts. Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for appropriate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appropriate
Adjective
  • Scientists revealed that the 1200-volt, 400-amp power module is suitable for use in power grids and even heavy-duty vehicles such as next-generation aircraft and military vehicles.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Nonfunctional Gadgets and Tech Outdated gadgets are rarely suitable for donation.
    Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Dragons seized another possession with a fumble recovery from Parker Harris — that set up a 10-play scoring drive capped by a four-yard rushing score from Renda.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Sep. 2025
  • At trial in December 2023, the jury found Jean — who owned homes in Wellington, Florida, and Long Island, New York, that were seized by authorities — guilty of conspiracy and four wire fraud counts.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • How can someone steal from you and simply get away with it?
    Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Two innings later, Martin singled, stole second base and eventually scored the winning run in a ninth-inning comeback victory.
    Dan Hayes, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In the filing, Clark said the nurse failed to provide proper medical care to other patients at the Missouri hospital, adding that another hospital in Phoenix had also terminated her due to patient safety concerns.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Per my grandmother’s advice, making the perfect pancakes on a countertop griddle comes down to maintaining a steady not-too-hot temperature and having a proper non-stick surface.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Even confiscating half would barely register against a $6 trillion federal budget.
    Sally Pipes, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Gordon allegedly brought two envelopes with 61 strips of Suboxone to an inmate at the Plymouth County Correctional Facility — which were then confiscated by officers and sent to a crime lab to be tested by a forensic analyst.
    Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • What To Know The Liquid Glass interface not only updates the home screen but transforms interactions within apps like Music, where users can now swipe between views instead of tapping.
    Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
  • This is a guy who swiped 32 bases a year ago and socked 28 homers two years ago.
    Zack Meisel, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Pants like Ewedoos’ Wide-leg Stretchy Work Pants are soft and loose-fitting for all-day wear, plus their dark color easily hides food or drink spills, wrinkles, dirt, and sweat.
    Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 19 Sep. 2025
  • So perhaps the latest trending dating term is fitting.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Plus, grab knife sets and a nifty electric can opener to streamline your cooking.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2025
  • As Jey checked on Jimmy, LA Knight grabbed the steel chair and teased hitting Jey Uso.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Appropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appropriate. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.

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