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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
Maui Health takes these concerns and the safety of its patients very seriously and will cooperate with authorities as appropriate. Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2025 Use the appropriate protective gear before starting this project. Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
The decision leaves in place a lower court’s ruling blocking the Office of Management and Budget from choking off funds to states that Congress had appropriated, as state attorneys general push back against the Trump administration’s efforts to unilaterally cut spending. Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025 According to an analysis by health policy research group KFF, U.S. contributions have grown over the past 10 years from $175 million in fiscal 2014 to $300 million in fiscal 2024, which is the highest amount appropriated to Gavi thus far. Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for appropriate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appropriate
Adjective
  • This lightweight and very liquid formula is suitable for all skin types.
    Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • This content is not, nor is intended to be, trading or investment advice or a recommendation that any investment product or strategy is suitable for any person.
    JJ Kinahan, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • These results suggest that media-savvy Democrats who seize this moment to call out Trump and the MAGA agenda could put themselves in a strong position to become the next leader of the Democratic Party.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
  • This shift could unlock massive opportunities for entrepreneurs who are bold enough to act, smart enough to wait for clarity, and strategic enough to seize the moment.
    Dileep Rao, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Coop is fired from his high-profile finance job, starts stealing from his wealthy neighbors to keep up his lifestyle, chaos ensues, and get your popcorn ready.
    Danielle Pergament, SELF, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Tom Richard Santos with John of Sherwood: After the death of Robin Hood, a grieving Little John returns to his ancestral Celtic tribe to protect it from the corrupt Church bent on stealing its land — and to confront the dark truth of his crimes as a Merry Man.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • By advocating for proper funding, schools will be able to take innovative approaches to increasing literacy rates, as well as seeing gains in math.
    Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Just cut the tubing to the proper length and wrap it around the cables.
    Clint Davis, People.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Then, in 2010, the bank where the chips were stored confiscated the chips after opening the deposit box.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The animals were confiscated and given to multiple wildlife agencies for care, according to the post.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The student swiped her card for door access, which police believe allowed Saldana to slip in behind the student.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Its functionality is iPad-like with a swipe down notifications screen, applications and swipe up climate controls.
    Trinity Francis, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The whispers of slimmer fitting silhouettes have been swirling on the runways: Indie sleaze-leaning skinny jeans at McQueen and Balenciaga, to the more Parisian chic straight leg and cropped trousers of Chanel, while Boss and Marni herald closer fit capris as a perfect springtime piece.
    Paulina Berges, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2025
  • There was something fitting about those four, from three different regions of Canada, serving as the faces of the game and its eras.
    James Mirtle, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Antetokounmpo finished the game by scoring 36 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, and blocking two shots.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Police said that once Davis left the apartment, the surviving 10-year-old quickly grabbed her baby brother, locked the door and called for help.
    Chris Spargo, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Appropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appropriate. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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