APPROPRIATE Synonyms: 171 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: When is 'meet' a more appropriate choice than 'appropriate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to appropriate , meet suggests a just proportioning. // meet payment

Q: 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

Q: 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

appropriate 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈprō-prē-ət

Definition of appropriate

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

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

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

Harbaugh credited Allison Boudreau, the Giants’ coordinator of rehabilitation and return to play, for bringing Nabers along at the appropriate pace. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026 Police said the Montgomery County State's Attorney would make a decision about what potential charges are appropriate. — Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026

Verb

Although Congress appropriated $345 million for AHRQ for this fiscal year, the agency has spent less than $15 million on grants and hasn’t issued a new one in over a year, according to a review of federal records. — Arthur Allen, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026 In general, the president can only spend money that Congress has appropriated. — Cameron Pugh, Christian Science Monitor, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for appropriate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for appropriate

Adjective

In the long run, leaders are confident the 19 new boats will prove suitable replacements for the Ohios.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
One of the conditions included the owner's agreement to help existing Ansley Park residents find suitable housing.

— Emily McLeod, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of suitable

Verb

At home, Indian authorities moved aggressively, seizing his properties and luxury assets, from high-end cars to jewelry and artworks.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
President Min Aung Hlaing, the former army chief who had originally seized power in 2021 from Suu Kyi’s civilian government, has been trying to win political legitimacy since the takeover and resume relations with ASEAN.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of seize

Verb

Louis Varland tied the game in the ninth, and the Cubs won 3-2 in 11 innings when Crow-Armstrong scored from second after stealing third and coming home on a throwing error by catcher Brandon Valenzuela.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
Unsurprisingly, firms reaping profits from the AI boom steal the show.

— Naazneen Karmali, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of steal

Verb

Reuters — The Thai teen behind a deadly school shooting outside Bangkok had an air gun confiscated by a teacher last year and had watched violent content online, police said on Sunday, as the government promised new safety protocols for schools.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
But Gale found an unlikely refuge in books that had been confiscated from the belongings of new members.

— Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of confiscate

Adjective

The cup holder was designed to hold the container while fitting into a standard car cup holder, per the release.

— Melina Khan, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
At the time, 1587 Sneakers reasoned that the football stars often take part in national advertising campaigns, making New York a fitting place to file.

— Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of fitting

Verb

Profanity also grabs attention since the shock value of an F-bomb can lead to more media coverage and clips circulating on social media.

— Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Alice slowly gets Marshall to lie on the floor, grabs the bottle of whiskey, and pours it into his mouth with glee.

— Erin Qualey, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of grab

Browse Nearby Words

appropriable

appropriate

appropriated

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“Appropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appropriate. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of appropriate

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Synonyms of appropriate

adjective

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

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Articles Related to appropriate

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Cite this Entry

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