GERMANE Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'germane' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of germane are applicable , apposite , apropos , material , pertinent , and relevant . While all these words mean "relating to or bearing upon the matter in hand," germane may additionally imply a fitness for or appropriateness to the situation or occasion. // a point not germane to the discussion

Q: When would 'applicable' be a good substitute for 'germane'?

While the synonyms applicable and germane are close in meaning, applicable suggests the fitness of bringing a general rule or principle to bear upon a particular case. // the rule is not applicable in this case

Q: When could 'apposite' be used to replace 'germane'?

Although the words apposite and germane have much in common, apposite suggests a felicitous relevance. // add an apposite quotation to the definition

Q: Where would 'apropos' be a reasonable alternative to 'germane'?

The words apropos and germane can be used in similar contexts, but apropos suggests being both relevant and opportune. // the quip was apropos

Q: When is it sensible to use 'material' instead of 'germane'?

The meanings of material and germane largely overlap; however, material implies so close a relationship that it cannot be dispensed with without serious alteration of the case. // facts material to the investigation

Q: When might 'pertinent' be a better fit than 'germane'?

In some situations, the words pertinent and germane are roughly equivalent. However, pertinent stresses a clear and decisive relevance. // a pertinent observation

Q: When can 'relevant' be used instead of 'germane'?

The synonyms relevant and germane are sometimes interchangeable, but relevant implies a traceable, significant, logical connection. // found material relevant to her case

germane

adjective

(ˌ)jər-ˈmān

Definition of germane next

as in relevant

having to do with the matter at hand my personal opinion isn't germane to our discussion of the facts of the case

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word germane different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of germane are applicable, apposite, apropos, material, pertinent, and relevant. While all these words mean "relating to or bearing upon the matter in hand," germane may additionally imply a fitness for or appropriateness to the situation or occasion.

a point not germane to the discussion

When would applicable be a good substitute for germane?

While the synonyms applicable and germane are close in meaning, applicable suggests the fitness of bringing a general rule or principle to bear upon a particular case.

the rule is not applicable in this case

When could apposite be used to replace germane?

Although the words apposite and germane have much in common, apposite suggests a felicitous relevance.

add an apposite quotation to the definition

Where would apropos be a reasonable alternative to germane?

The words apropos and germane can be used in similar contexts, but apropos suggests being both relevant and opportune.

the quip was apropos

When is it sensible to use material instead of germane?

The meanings of material and germane largely overlap; however, material implies so close a relationship that it cannot be dispensed with without serious alteration of the case.

facts material to the investigation

When might pertinent be a better fit than germane?

In some situations, the words pertinent and germane are roughly equivalent. However, pertinent stresses a clear and decisive relevance.

a pertinent observation

When can relevant be used instead of germane?

The synonyms relevant and germane are sometimes interchangeable, but relevant implies a traceable, significant, logical connection.

found material relevant to her case

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 germane Those day-to-day issues are not just germane to Blacks, but everyone, Lewis said. —

La Risa R. Lynch, Journal Sentinel, 23 Oct. 2024 The psychological elements in Trump’s pitch for tariffs are highly germane, and apparently effective. —

Hersh Shefrin, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024 In that case, Montana legislators had attached a rider, an amendment that is not germane to a bill, to the National Defense Authorization Act that was signed in December 2019. —

Devan Patel, The Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2024 For instance, while exclusive geographic areas for CHL leagues to recruit players are challenged, the NHL says nothing in its CHL agreement is germane to that topic. —

Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 25 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for germane