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 next

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

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 appropriate

Adjective

While current data show that youth use remains low, the FDA is closely monitoring the marketplace and is committed to taking action, as appropriate, to best protect public health. —

Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025 For one, just because investors expect to retire around the same age doesn’t mean the same asset allocation is appropriate for each of them. —

Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 6 Jan. 2025

Verb

That included Trump’s effort to end protection for Dreamers and seeking to use an emergency declaration to fund his border wall in excess of what had been appropriated by Congress. —

Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 25 Dec. 2024 Hecht also dedicated himself to improving poor Texans’ access to the justice system, pushing the Legislature to appropriate more funding for legal aid and reducing the barriers to getting meaningful legal resolutions. —

Eleanor Klibanoff, Austin American-Statesman, 30 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for appropriate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for appropriate

Adjective

Although most organic waste is suitable for bokashi composting, don’t add moldy food, pet waste, or excessive amounts of liquid or oil to your bokashi composter.

— Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Jan. 2025
Paper handling is suitable for up to moderate-duty printing in a small or home office or for personal use, thanks to the 250-sheet drawer and single-sheet bypass tray.

— PCMAG, PCMAG, 18 Jan. 2025