appropriate 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈprō-prē-ət How to pronounce appropriate (audio)
Definition of appropriatenext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

appropriate

2 of 2

verb

ə-ˈprō-prē-ˌāt How to pronounce appropriate (audio)
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

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
Herzog’s recommendation is broadly consistent with what other financial planners have suggested for bitcoin, though the appropriate amount depends on an investor’s risk tolerance. —Mike Winters, CNBC, 12 June 2026 The zone, specifically designed for ages 5 and under, features a Junior Jungle, Web Crawler, and mini slides for an age-appropriate place to explore. —Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
Verb
This is ridiculous that a president should be able to appropriate money to himself, Congress's job, and then give it out to people who beat police officers on January 6th. —ABC News, 31 May 2026 Congress should appropriate money for the ballroom, the ethics groups asserted. —Arden Farhi, CBS News, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for appropriate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appropriate
  1. suitable
  2. seize
  3. steal
  4. proper
  5. confiscate
  6. swipe
  7. fitting
  8. grab
Adjective
  • For anyone venturing off-the-grid or out deep in nature, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is a top contender as a rugged, adventure-suitable wearable.
    — Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 18 June 2026
  • Package details vary by line and ship, and some plans are suitable only for messaging or browsing, while others allow streaming or video calls.
    — David Nikel, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Definition of suitable
Verb
  • Aemond was named Prince Regent in the aftermath, and seized control of the Iron Throne while Aegon recovered.
    — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
  • Federal customs officials at Washington Dulles Airport seized 139 pounds of Ethiopian khat, a plant chewed for its amphetamine-like effect, that was destined for Sacramento.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2026
Definition of seize
Verb
  • Oswald Peraza led off the third with a double, and Nick Madrigal drove him in with a two-out single before stealing second and scoring on Logan O’Hoppe’s single for a 4-0 advantage.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026
  • Instead of asking for an iPhone passcode, a scammer may send a fake Google, Find My Device, Find Hub, Samsung Find or carrier message after your Android phone is stolen.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026
Definition of steal
Adjective
  • In a post shared to Instagram on June 16, TSA advised newfound fans on the proper way to transport ranch dressing, a quintessential American flavor some soccer fans are experiencing for the first time.
    — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 18 June 2026
  • Honest, Houston In the proper hands, a chain restaurant is a glorious institution.
    — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 18 June 2026
Definition of proper
Verb
  • Local residents and business owners said Israeli forces had later returned to the area and confiscated all CCTV recordings.
    — Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
  • But any noise-making devices such as vuvuzelas, air horns and whistles will be confiscated.
    — Laurence Miedema, Mercury News, 12 June 2026
Definition of confiscate
Verb
  • But a two-out walk in the second came back to bite him after Matt McClain swiped second base and scored on Tyler Stephenson’s single to center.
    — Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2026
  • Lucky for me, there was leftover lekvar (prune butter), perfect to swipe on toast for the rest of the week.
    — The Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 June 2026
Definition of swipe
Adjective
  • This recipes give you a much more desirable topping to filling ratio, so the family won't be fitting over those last crunchy bites.
    — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 18 June 2026
  • The song has Swift, fresh off an induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, coming back to her country roots, a fitting choice as the song is inspired by cowgirl Jessie.
    — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2026
Definition of fitting
Verb
  • Grant asks Chris about the boxing gloves now for sale in the night store, but Katie forestalls him by running over and grabbing them, nearly flattening Chris.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 16 June 2026
  • Demonstrators grabbed bricks from the ground to throw at police, as tear gas was deployed in Geneva's streets, witnesses told Reuters.
    — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026
Definition of grab

Browse Nearby Words

appropriable
appropriate
appropriated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Appropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appropriate. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on appropriate

Nglish: Translation of appropriate for Spanish Speakers

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