1
as in polite
following the established traditions of refined society and good taste
the formal ball called for proper attire—tuxedos and full-length gowns only
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in correct
being in agreement with the truth or a fact or a standard
there is really more than one proper way to pronounce that word in English
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in formal
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details
we had nodded and said hello to one another but had never had a proper introduction
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in appropriate
meeting the requirements of a purpose or situation
you'll need to have a proper diet if you want to lose weight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in characteristic
serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group
malaria and other diseases that are proper to the tropics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of proper
For Valentine’s Day proper, a romantic culinary journey awaits with Salt & The Cellar’s Valentine’s Day Prix Fixe.
—
Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
Also be sure to cook them to a proper internal temperature of 145 degrees.
—Gretchen McKay, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2026
One of the most valuable things lost with the killing of the Sports section will be the Post’s sense of proper training of the young.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
The administration’s cavalier approach to the law prompted at least one judge to school its lawyers in proper procedure.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for proper
Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
Also be sure to cook them to a proper internal temperature of 145 degrees.
—Gretchen McKay, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2026
One of the most valuable things lost with the killing of the Sports section will be the Post’s sense of proper training of the young.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
The administration’s cavalier approach to the law prompted at least one judge to school its lawyers in proper procedure.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for proper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proper
Adjective
-
Jim Dickinson stepped in to produce and play a little piano, but Travis deemed the results too polished, too polite, too bourgeois.—
Stephen M. Deusner,
Pitchfork,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Messy is a polite way to describe the silos of vitriol that have turned hate into a national pastime.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The annual revision is a standard BLS procedure that helps correct sampling and modeling errors.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Without the correct attributes — competitiveness, mindset, IQ, internal drive — Donovan fears a young player could flounder in Chicago.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Ailsa Craig granite is so well-suited for curling that the Olympics have never used any other kind of granite in formal competition.—
Asuka Koda,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Meanwhile, an Ohio State committee is reviewing a second formal request to remove Wexner’s name from multiple campus buildings, including the football team’s practice facility.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Some growers have also started to focus more on roses that are appropriate to their local climates, Kukielski says.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Observing the relationship between parental contact with their children and the payment of child support obligations, facilitate and encourage parental access and involvement (when appropriate).—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Thousands of cycles generate histograms showing the characteristic conductance of individual molecules.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Jan. 2026
-
As of winter 2026/27, the French line will have two ships based there, with explorer-class vessel Le Jacques Cartier joining M/S Paul Gaugin, a ship that was purpose-built to cruise the shallow lagoons so characteristic of the region.—
Chrissie McClatchie,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Roma wanted a satisfactory replacement signed before letting Tsimikas return.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Yeah … very satisfactory to hear that.—
Natalie Morales,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.—
Sara Moniuszko,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Federal data is fluid and frequently subject to change as more detailed and accurate information becomes available.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The potluck is chaotic but really nice.—
R29 Team,
Refinery29,
11 Feb. 2026
-
And if there is a next step, that would be nice.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Proper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proper. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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