fit 1 of 3

verb

Definition of fitnext
1
as in to suffice
archaic to be fitting or proper we hardly know them, so for Christmas a simple card will fit

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Relevance
2
as in to correspond
to be in agreement on every point now that you've explained your absence to me, my records and the office's fit

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to adapt
to change (something) so as to make it suitable for a new use or situation I can undo the hem on these old culottes and fit them into a skirt

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to equip
to make competent (as by training, skill, or ability) for a particular office or function that final computer course should fit him for a career in programming

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5
as in to accommodate
to make or have room for we can fit you in the booth if the rest of us squeeze closer together

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6
as in to prepare
to make ready in advance I won't have time to fit the spare room for the guests

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fit

2 of 3

noun

1
as in case
a sudden experiencing of a physical or mental disorder without her medication, she'd have an epileptic fit

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in burst
a sudden intense expression of strong feeling helpless fits of laughter from the audience

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3
as in scene
an outburst or display of excited anger found out what his wife had spent on clothes and threw a fit

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fit

3 of 3

adjective

ˈfit How to pronounce fit (audio)
1
as in suitable
meeting the requirements of a purpose or situation clothing that is fit for horseback riding

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2
as in go
being in a state of fitness for some experience or action fit for military service

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3
as in available
capable of or suitable for being used for a particular purpose I don't think those bald tires are fit for winter driving

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4
as in healthy
enjoying health and vigor eat well and stay fit

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in qualified
having the required skills for an acceptable level of performance need to hire someone whose language skills make them fit for the job

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fit differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fit are appropriate, apt, felicitous, fitting, happy, meet, proper, and suitable. While all these words mean "right with respect to some end, need, use, or circumstance," fit stresses adaptability and sometimes special readiness for use or action.

fit for battle

When can appropriate be used instead of fit?

While in some cases nearly identical to fit, appropriate implies eminent or distinctive fitness.

an appropriate gift

When is apt a more appropriate choice than fit?

The words apt and fit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, apt connotes a fitness marked by nicety and discrimination.

apt quotations

In what contexts can felicitous take the place of fit?

Although the words felicitous and fit have much in common, felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful.

a felicitous phrase

Where would fitting be a reasonable alternative to fit?

The synonyms fitting and fit are sometimes interchangeable, but fitting implies harmony of mood or tone.

a fitting end

When could happy be used to replace fit?

The words happy and fit can be used in similar contexts, but happy suggests what is effectively or successfully appropriate.

a happy choice of words

When is it sensible to use meet instead of fit?

In some situations, the words meet and fit are roughly equivalent. However, meet suggests a just proportioning.

meet payment

When might proper be a better fit than fit?

The meanings of proper and fit largely overlap; however, proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom.

proper acknowledgement

When would suitable be a good substitute for fit?

While the synonyms suitable and fit 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 fit
Verb
Their care begins with specialists from multiple disciplines reviewing each case together to determine the treatment that best fits the patient’s condition, overall health and goals. — Baptist Health South Florida, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026 Big belief that my style of play fits perfectly to the players. — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
These polyester fits have also been parodied in video skits, where comedians put on an all-over polyester print outfit, like a wolf T-shirt and galaxy pants, and parody the stereotypical nerdy kid. — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026 The marbled jean features wild horses surrounded by watercolor wind, rendered beautifully across a trouser-like fit that's cut close to the hips before flowing outward from the body to the floor. — Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Multiple reviewers have called out the backside-flattering fit and stretchy material that resists getting baggy after a full day of wear. — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 15 Aug. 2026 On Thursday, Levi’s Vintage launched the LVC 1942 501, a reproduction of the 1942 501 jeans that were made with 12-ounce shrink-to-fit selvedge denim. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fit
  1. suffice
  2. correspond
  3. adapt
  4. equip
  5. accommodate
  6. prepare
  7. case
  8. burst
Verb
  • But a vendetta alone won’t suffice; leaders need a positive vision.
    — Jennifer Pahlka, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
  • With image and video content, screenshotting/recording or using any decent metadata editing tool will suffice to remove this information, too.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of suffice
Verb
  • Anticipating their communications would ​be sought through Freedom of Information Act requests, Morens and others agreed to correspond using Morens’ personal email account ​instead of his government one, prosecutors said.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 19 Aug. 2026
  • While the woman was unnamed in the police memo, a corresponding court case names Gallagher as the subject of an Apprehended Violence Application filed on behalf of Gael Cameron, a fellow Below Deck castmate with whom Gallagher shares a young child.
    — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of correspond
Verb
  • With no European football, Chelsea can focus on adapting to Alonso’s methods in training and to setting the long-term ‘project’ back on track.
    — George Edwards, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Webtoon boasts 155 million monthly active users across an array of titles that have been adapted for traditional TV and movies.
    — William Earl, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of adapt
Verb
  • Private sector capabilities are better equipped to do so, but they are typically barred by law from touching attackers’ systems.
    — Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The wrist braces resemble the kind sold at a drugstore to help with tendon pain, the only difference being each comes equipped with a 7-pound weight at the end.
    — Jenelle Riley, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of equip
Verb
  • Intended to accommodate a predominantly residential urban coastal development pattern in areas that can support additional height and intensity while improving the provision of neighborhood commercial uses.
    — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
  • In Ellington, there are some departments that still work five days, and some work a half day on Fridays to accommodate programs.
    — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of accommodate
Verb
  • While preparing to enter the state in February, Buc-ee’s sued the northern Ohio holding company for Mickey Mart gas stations, arguing its Mickey the Moose logo could be confused with Buc-ee.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The recent engine burn was designed to prepare for that jaunt.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of prepare
Noun
  • The outcome of this bellwether case is expected to significantly influence whether other states pursue similar legal actions against AI companies.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • For the 11-year-old Batisa, though, his immediate concern is not the disease which has killed more than 2,300 people among at least 5,000 cases.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of case
Noun
  • There’s powerful minerality with a bright burst of delightful acidity in the finish.
    — Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Then De’Von Achane had a burst to the right for about 10 yards.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of burst

Phrases Containing fit

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fists
fit
fitful
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Cite this Entry

“Fit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fit. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fit

Nglish: Translation of fit for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fit

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