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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective suitable differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of suitable are appropriate, apt, felicitous, fitting, fit, happy, meet, and proper. While all these words mean "right with respect to some end, need, use, or circumstance," suitable implies an answering to requirements or demands.

clothes suitable for camping

In what contexts can appropriate take the place of suitable?

The meanings of appropriate and suitable largely overlap; however, appropriate implies eminent or distinctive fitness.

an appropriate gift

Where would apt be a reasonable alternative to suitable?

The synonyms apt and suitable are sometimes interchangeable, but apt connotes a fitness marked by nicety and discrimination.

apt quotations

When could felicitous be used to replace suitable?

In some situations, the words felicitous and suitable are roughly equivalent. However, felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful.

a felicitous phrase

When is fit a more appropriate choice than suitable?

While in some cases nearly identical to suitable, fit stresses adaptability and sometimes special readiness for use or action.

fit for battle

When would fitting be a good substitute for suitable?

While the synonyms fitting and suitable are close in meaning, fitting implies harmony of mood or tone.

a fitting end

When might happy be a better fit than suitable?

The words happy and suitable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, happy suggests what is effectively or successfully appropriate.

a happy choice of words

When is it sensible to use meet instead of suitable?

The words meet and suitable can be used in similar contexts, but meet suggests a just proportioning.

meet payment

When can proper be used instead of suitable?

Although the words proper and suitable have much in common, proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom.

proper acknowledgement

Examples 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 suitable Additionally, there's an underlying concern that these candidates might view the position merely as a temporary stepping stone, with intentions to either quickly move up or leave once a more suitable opportunity arises. Jack Kelly, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024 Video River Networks continues to explore potential acquisition opportunities in the EV sector, leveraging its management team's experience and network to identify suitable targets. Quartz Bot, Quartz, 19 Nov. 2024 The trivia game is set for two to six players and suitable for ages 16 and above. Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 18 Nov. 2024 While targeting the hospitality sector with the new collection, Moses said her wallpaper designs are suitable for restaurants, hospitals, office buildings and other commercial spaces. David Moin, WWD, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for suitable 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suitable
Adjective
  • The company's management identified a material weakness in its internal controls over financial reporting due to a lack of qualified SEC reporting professionals.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 19 Nov. 2024
  • As Katy Grimes of the California Globe notes, Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative Democrats had 10 years to deal with escalating crime, but failed to do so until Proposition 36 qualified for the November ballot.
    K. Lloyd Billingsley, Orange County Register, 11 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • However, progressive organizations are learning to embrace and enable it while maintaining appropriate controls.
    Bernard Marr, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
  • New polling data by British research and data analytics firm YouGov found that 53 percent of respondents thought a permanent display about Great Britain’s role in the trade of slaves from Africa would be appropriate at the British Museum.
    Karen K. Ho, ARTnews.com, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Armani Beauty Eye Tint Longwear Liquid Eyeshadow, $38 In This Article: What kind of eyeshadow is best for mature skin?
    Jenny Berg, Vogue, 23 Nov. 2024
  • Boats are decorated in their festive best for a parade down the Savannah River.
    Heather Bien, Southern Living, 23 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • What’s also fitting is that the word has become a favorite diss in the rap world, the musical genre that has helped pioneer what mediocrity means today.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 26 Nov. 2024
  • William became Colonel of the Welsh Guards in 2023, a fitting role as King Charles named him the Prince of Wales following his accession, the traditional title for the heir to the British throne.
    Simon Perry, People.com, 26 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The 1970s wasn’t a great decade for the studio, but songs like this show that Disney was still capable of creative wonder.
    Barry Levitt, TIME, 27 Nov. 2024
  • Many people believed that faeries were capable of all sorts of wicked tricks: Stealing babies or children and replacing them with changelings, making devilish bargains, trapping people in the Otherworld for eternity.
    Erik Kain, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • To ensure proper data management, training on data collection, entry and analysis needs to be an integral part of quarterly or semiannual performance reviews.
    Robert Clark, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
  • But not having proper documentation can bring serious consequences.
    Trisha Mukherjee, ABC News, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Despite empirical evidence to the contrary, perceptions remain that disabled employees are less competent, less productive, require more supervision, and are more expensive and more dependent, which results in lower levels of both employment and promotion.
    Terri R. Kurtzberg and Mason Ameri, Harvard Business Review, 18 Nov. 2024
  • But that doesn’t mean the mouse isn’t a competent daily driver.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Try slouchy or slim-fit designs tucked under midi hemlines, from skirts to dresses, and wider shafts with fitted or straight-leg jeans tucked in.
    Laura Lajiness Kaupke, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2024
  • Play with proportion by pairing it with a fitted miniskirt, or give it a baggy-on-baggy look with wide-leg jeans.
    Jamie Allison Sanders, Peoplemag, 26 Sep. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near suitable

Cite this Entry

“Suitable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suitable. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on suitable

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