as in suitable
meeting the requirements of a purpose or situation
I don't think jeans and a T-shirt are appropriate attire for a wedding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to seize
to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right
archaeologists wrongfully appropriated artifacts excavated at ancient sites for their museums
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to steal
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep
you can't just appropriate somebody's term paper and put your name on it!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of appropriate
Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026
Transparency and legal frameworks, rather than boycotts, represent the appropriate remedy for concerns.
—Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Npr Staff, NPR, 23 Jan. 2026
The funds at issue are appropriated by Congress.
—Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for appropriate
Adjective
Students must be held to appropriate standards – if the schools won’t, life surely will.
—Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026
Transparency and legal frameworks, rather than boycotts, represent the appropriate remedy for concerns.
—Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
His aides have pulled back funds appropriated by lawmakers, who constitutionally control federal purse strings.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 23 Jan. 2026
The funds at issue are appropriated by Congress.
—Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for appropriate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appropriate
Adjective
-
Dean Blunt-like guitar strums establish calm before the storm, which arrives with a waltzing rhythm suitable for a first dance.—
Benny Sun,
Pitchfork,
29 Jan. 2026
-
According to SurreyLive, the Loseley Park house was constructed expressly to entertain Elizabeth, who’d complained of the lack of suitable dwellings in the area.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Revolutionary Guard holds vast business interest across Iran, and sanctions could allow its assets in Europe to be seized.—
SAM McNEIL AND JON GAMBRELL THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Gabbard was photographed in Fulton County on the day of the raid as the FBI seized 2020 election ballots.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Around 2015, upstarts like Chobani or BodyArmor began stealing market share from legacy brands.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Another alleged member of the Latin Kings was charged in federal court in the District of Minnesota this month with being a felon in possession of a firearm and theft of government property after breaking into an FBI vehicle and stealing a rifle.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This neighborhood was not as grand as Harlem proper, but everyone who hung their hat here knew its allure.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Combined with proper nutrition, exercise creates lasting results, not quick fixes.—
Fred Sassani,
Austin American Statesman,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The next day, authorities confiscated more than 50,000 vapes and displayed them in Mexico City’s central square.—
María Verza,
Fortune,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Now the city wants more tools to expand its limited enforcement options, which would start with warnings, then fines and may include confiscating food, equipment and carts found in violation of city ordinance and health codes.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Others have tried to swipe popular ad mascots and put them in the service of a rival.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Home security camera footage captured a suspect wearing black clothing and glasses swiping the bear off the front porch of the Lakeshore Drive home.—
Joseph Buczek,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Along with the famous necklace, Robbie wore a form-fitting, fresh-off-the-runway Schiaparelli dress, complete with a laced strapless bodice and a red and black gradient skirt that resembled the petals of a flower.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
29 Jan. 2026
-
In this context, the Hall snub is a fitting—if unjustified—rebuke.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The bottom-line mandate for the Bruins on Monday night was to grab two points against the worst team in the Eastern Conference.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
-
On January 13, in a win over the Chicago Bulls, Davison played 24 minutes, scoring 9 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and dishing out 4 assists.—
Rahat Huq,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Appropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appropriate. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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