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
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5
as in distinguishing
serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group
malaria and other diseases that are proper to the tropics
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of proper
Friday night’s 123-114 overtime play-in victory in Atlanta, on top of Wednesday’s impressive must-win in Chicago, has saved a sinking season and sent Miami into the NBA playoffs proper, as a No. 8 seed facing No. 1 Cleveland in Game 1 Sunday in Ohio.
—
Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2025
Blaylock’s stance is that the grants aren’t the proper role of government.
—Audrey Dutton, Idaho Statesman, 19 Apr. 2025
Costa Rican officials have disputed reports by the country’s Ombudsman’s Office that the deportees arrived in Costa Rica in visible distress and that authorities failed to guarantee proper conditions for arriving deportees.
—Megan Janetsky, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
With the proper care and guidance, finding what works for your skin can make all the difference in healing and regaining your confidence.
—Sierra Leone Starks, Allure, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proper
Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2025
Blaylock’s stance is that the grants aren’t the proper role of government.
—Audrey Dutton, Idaho Statesman, 19 Apr. 2025
Costa Rican officials have disputed reports by the country’s Ombudsman’s Office that the deportees arrived in Costa Rica in visible distress and that authorities failed to guarantee proper conditions for arriving deportees.
—Megan Janetsky, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
With the proper care and guidance, finding what works for your skin can make all the difference in healing and regaining your confidence.
—Sierra Leone Starks, Allure, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proper
Adjective
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Wear old clothes and shoes Bring flashlights Watch for sharp objects Avoid food waste Wash your hands Be polite and cooperate if you are asked to leave The Fresno Bee 559-441-6005 Fernanda Galan covers Central Valley and California news as The Fresno Bee’s service journalism reporter.—
Fernanda Galan,
Sacbee.com,
16 Apr. 2025
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Which felt like a polite way of saying the same thing.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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If projections around the tariffs’ impact are correct, then getting some shopping done now could save you time and money later.—
Sara Coughlin,
SELF,
10 Apr. 2025
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Measure your gizmo with the case on to get a sense of correct sizing, and look for a crossbody phone bag that matches the criteria (usually found in the product’s online description).—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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All were displayed in an austere room designed for examining art works—an oddly formal space for an encounter with one’s past.—
Bruce Handy,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
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This easygoing aesthetic introduces itself in the living room, which doubles as the home’s entry since there’s no formal foyer.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The LLMs also recommended mental health assessments to these patients approximately six to seven times more often than what the validating physicians deemed appropriate and more than twice as often as the control group.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
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In a statement provided by her attorney to THR, Smith denied the claims of abuse, arduous working hours and dearth of appropriate compensation and said that Rockelle had appeared in several accusers’ videos without payment or common labor protections.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The surgery was difficult due to Bolsonaro’s prior surgeries and stab wound, but Sunday’s procedure did not have unexpected complications and the result was satisfactory, doctors said, adding that hospital visits for now should be limited to family.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
14 Apr. 2025
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According to the complaint, Combs allegedly said the act wasn’t satisfactory and threatened Doe with violence afterward.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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But the ability to navigate this uncertainty depends on high-quality, accurate data—particularly supplier master data—which is easier said than done.—
Sarah Jones,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Apr. 2025
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Garland handed the character work of directing to Mendoza to honor the project’s one abiding rule: sticking without exception to an utterly accurate recounting.—
Fred Schruers,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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After spending the last two seasons together at the University of Minnesota, it’s been nice having each other to lean on — and to geek out with.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
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There’s a place downtown called Soul Classics that’s really nice, like street-wear stuff.—
Aaron Portzline,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This lightweight and very liquid formula is suitable for all skin types.—
Nora Colomer,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Proper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proper. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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