1
as in polite
following the established traditions of refined society and good taste
the formal ball called for proper attire—tuxedos and full-length gowns only
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in correct
being in agreement with the truth or a fact or a standard
there is really more than one proper way to pronounce that word in English
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in formal
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details
we had nodded and said hello to one another but had never had a proper introduction
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in appropriate
meeting the requirements of a purpose or situation
you'll need to have a proper diet if you want to lose weight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in distinguishing
serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group
malaria and other diseases that are proper to the tropics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of proper
Owens says this is essential to a child's proper development.
—
Leslie D. Rose, Parents, 19 Feb. 2025
President Donald Trump, in his interview with Fox News, sees states like Iowa, Indiana and New Hampshire, among others, taking the proper approaches in education.
—Kristina Watrobski, Baltimore Sun, 19 Feb. 2025
But this only works if real technology guardrails, industrywide standards, and the proper legislation are all in place.
—Dan Neely, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2025
The filmmaker, now working on a proper sequel, shares stories behind his cult hit two decades later.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proper
Leslie D. Rose, Parents, 19 Feb. 2025
President Donald Trump, in his interview with Fox News, sees states like Iowa, Indiana and New Hampshire, among others, taking the proper approaches in education.
—Kristina Watrobski, Baltimore Sun, 19 Feb. 2025
But this only works if real technology guardrails, industrywide standards, and the proper legislation are all in place.
—Dan Neely, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2025
The filmmaker, now working on a proper sequel, shares stories behind his cult hit two decades later.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proper
Adjective
-
Dressed in a colorful smoking jacket, an accentuating cravat and pencil-thin mustache, his get-up is almost as refined as his compliments, which are so detailed and nimbly assembled that even the politest group of word-spitters would be thoroughly impressed.—
Stefano Montali,
New York Times,
17 Feb. 2025
-
Donald’s giving voice to what polite society sort of sat on for a while, things that are felt but that no one is articulating.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
If polling is correct, the tiny Die Linke party, on the far left, seems likely to make it.—
Christopher F. Schuetze,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2025
-
Ferguson’s instincts were correct, for the first hour at least.—
Mark Critchley,
The Athletic,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Having a formal parenting plan in place is a good idea for multiple reasons.—
Jann Blackstone,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Turkey’s membership in the NATO alliance, which entails a formal commitment to democracy and to the integrity of borders, did not stand in Erdogan’s way.—
Michael Kimmage,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
What made this feel like the appropriate way to end this story?—
Willing Davidson,
The New Yorker,
23 Feb. 2025
-
Plus, even if experts with appropriate training and expertise are appointed to the MAHA Commision, Kennedy’s still the one in charge.—
Elizabeth Yuko,
Rolling Stone,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Bowman may want to make a call if the organization feels the current group of veterans doesn’t provide enough satisfactory options for the skill lines.—
Allan Mitchell,
The Athletic,
12 Feb. 2025
-
His messages online sound all too typical of the brash and bratty computer techies who seem to think insults are satisfactory entertainment for their followers.—
Clarence Page,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
After her mother’s death, Sevilla-Bazan struggled to get an accurate sense from Bishop or his followers of what exactly happened.—
David Peisner,
Rolling Stone,
23 Feb. 2025
-
Villa’s left-back then tries to find Watkins, but his cross isn’t accurate.—
Ahmed Walid,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
In the Jungfrau Ski Region skiers get the perfect mix of easy and challenging slopes, nice mountain hut restaurants and aprés ski on the downhill runs and in Grindelwald Terminal.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
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Hard partying leads to an acceleration of addiction: Rita, in her thirties, after giving birth to four children; Tyson, in his late twenties, after crashing out of college and working practically every job in the nicer parts of the East Bay.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
The New Yorker,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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This content is not, nor is intended to be, trading or investment advice or a recommendation that any investment product or strategy is suitable for any person. Follow me on Twitter.—
JJ Kinahan,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Since then, Trump officials have not answered why the State Department appeared to be taking steps to pursue an acquisition of electric vehicles from Tesla, with the company's stainless steel Cybertruck likely being the most suitable option for an armored vehicle.—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
24 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to proper
Cite this Entry
“Proper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proper. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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