Definition of fittingnext

fitting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of fit
1
as in befitting
archaic to be fitting or proper we hardly know them, so for Christmas a simple card will fit

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
4
5
as in accommodating
to make or have room for we can fit you in the booth if the rest of us squeeze closer together

Synonyms & Similar Words

6

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fitting differ from other similar words?

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

a fitting end

When would appropriate be a good substitute for fitting?

While the synonyms appropriate and fitting are close in meaning, appropriate implies eminent or distinctive fitness.

an appropriate gift

When is it sensible to use apt instead of fitting?

In some situations, the words apt and fitting are roughly equivalent. However, apt connotes a fitness marked by nicety and discrimination.

apt quotations

When might felicitous be a better fit than fitting?

The words felicitous and fitting are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful.

a felicitous phrase

When could fit be used to replace fitting?

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

fit for battle

Where would happy be a reasonable alternative to fitting?

The meanings of happy and fitting largely overlap; however, happy suggests what is effectively or successfully appropriate.

a happy choice of words

In what contexts can meet take the place of fitting?

The synonyms meet and fitting are sometimes interchangeable, but meet suggests a just proportioning.

meet payment

When is proper a more appropriate choice than fitting?

The words proper and fitting can be used in similar contexts, but proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom.

proper acknowledgement

When can suitable be used instead of fitting?

Although the words suitable and fitting have much in common, 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 fitting
Adjective
Thursday's hearing had a few awkward moments that were perhaps fitting for a federal court that has never before convened in history. Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 30 July 2026 There’s something darkly fitting about Cambridge Analytica’s latest evolution, and perhaps uncanny. Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 30 July 2026
Verb
Complete with pretty pleated sleeves, this easy-fitting blouse would look great with straight-leg jeans and strappy flats. Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026 That reality depends on localized AI fitting seamlessly into everyday devices — something that’s been a persistent engineering hurdle. Noelle Harff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fitting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fitting
Adjective
  • For all of the wonderfully talented players that the City academy are bringing through, there have been no suitable deep-lying midfielders on the conveyor belt — even Nico O’Reilly was better as an attacking midfielder in his academy days.
    Sam Lee, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The debate is no longer about whether the CLARITY Act contains suitable ethics provisions.
    Anthony Scaramucci, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • With decades devoted to more mainstream roles befitting of the blonde bombshell, Anderson now embraces projects that both challenge and scare her.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 24 July 2026
  • Blending style with luxury, the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection partnered with iconic Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz to reimagine its pool and lounge spaces, introducing styles befitting the jet set crowd.
    Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 24 July 2026
Verb
  • In a corresponding move, the Royals recalled outfielder John Rave from Triple-A Omaha.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026
  • In corresponding roster moves, William Bradley-King and Andrew Farmer were waived injured.
    Cam Inman, Mercury News, 29 July 2026
Verb
  • Analysts keep adjusting upward their estimates of what AI hyperscalers will spend on capex in the future, and that increased spend is driving down free cash flow estimates.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 29 July 2026
  • This setup allows the nuclear core to run at a steady, efficient output while adjusting the amount of electricity sent to the grid.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 29 July 2026
Verb
  • Two years after April 8, 2024’s North American eclipse, NASA is once again preparing to broadcast one of nature’s greatest spectacles live.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • While the summer focuses on prepared foods, the Toupses also do holiday drop-offs during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and even Valentine’s Day that provide ingredients for preparing festive meals at home.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The service Whether at the front desk or poolside concierge, the service at the Arlo Williamsburg is readily available and accommodating.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026
  • But Buckingham Palace staff are reportedly unhappy again about the idea of accommodating the duke.
    Martha Ross, Mercury News, 28 July 2026
Adjective
  • The implementation of this Roadmap, including the issue of weapons and other articles of the comprehensive peace plan, shall create appropriate conditions for a credible pathway towards achieving Palestinian self-determination and statehood.
    ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
  • Infectious fun All the game’s content is rich in theme—the items have scientific-sounding names, and the stages pose thematically appropriate hazards.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • Operational databases—often NoSQL systems—excel at reacting to change instantly and fetching individual records with almost no delay, suiting situations where the business must act on new data in near real time.
    Kevin Mathrani, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • Nicole Kidman is serving up the aesthetic blueprint for the ultimate European summer, from embracing power suiting in Wimbledon’s Royal Box to showing off her natural blonde curls while jet-setting out of Ibiza.
    Lara Walsh, InStyle, 18 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fitting. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on fitting

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster