Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective apt differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of apt are appropriate, felicitous, fitting, fit, happy, meet, proper, and suitable. While all these words mean "right with respect to some end, need, use, or circumstance," apt connotes a fitness marked by nicety and discrimination.

apt quotations

When is appropriate a more appropriate choice than apt?

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

an appropriate gift

When can felicitous be used instead of apt?

The words felicitous and apt can be used in similar contexts, but felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful.

a felicitous phrase

In what contexts can fit take the place of apt?

In some situations, the words fit and apt are roughly equivalent. However, fit stresses adaptability and sometimes special readiness for use or action.

fit for battle

When might fitting be a better fit than apt?

While the synonyms fitting and apt are close in meaning, fitting implies harmony of mood or tone.

a fitting end

Where would happy be a reasonable alternative to apt?

The words happy and apt are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, happy suggests what is effectively or successfully appropriate.

a happy choice of words

When would meet be a good substitute for apt?

The meanings of meet and apt largely overlap; however, meet suggests a just proportioning.

meet payment

When could proper be used to replace apt?

Although the words proper and apt have much in common, proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom.

proper acknowledgement

When is it sensible to use suitable instead of apt?

The synonyms suitable and apt are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 apt Both Rocha and Siriano exchanged remarks that felt apt for the occasion. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 8 Apr. 2025 The rest of the exhibition comprises new works exploring celestial themes, which is particularly apt given one of the community’s myths: that women used to live in the sky as stars and would travel down to earth on woven chaguar ropes to dine on fishermen’s catch. Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 29 Apr. 2025 In the rich and frequently chaotic history of Marseille, there can have been fewer more apt demonstrations of the club’s inherent tendency towards turbulence than the decision to head to Rome for some peace and quiet in the same week as the death of the Pope. Tom Williams, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025 The choice of Pelley to deliver the message on air may have been apt. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for apt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apt
Adjective
  • Both men were prone to flashes of brilliance, ultimately lost in a haze of injury and apathy.
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 16 May 2025
  • And, with darker skin tones more prone to dry skin, doubling down on your water intake with skincare is key to a longer skinspan.
    Essence, Essence, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • These options provide faster data transfer rates and are more suitable for today's high-volume data needs.
    Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
  • The fan also has a larger size that is suitable for bathrooms up to 150 square feet.
    Molly Blanco, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • Bajwa was more inclined to look for a peaceful resolution with India over Kashmir and other issues.
    Ayesha Jalal, The Conversation, 8 May 2025
  • CPOs are often focused on the market, customers and revenue, while the CTO is inclined to focus on the purity of architecture and the tech stack.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
Adjective
  • During arguments before the Supreme Court, several of the justices expressed concerns about the use of nationwide injunctions, but John Sauer, President Donald Trump’s solicitor general, faced pushback this week about whether limiting injunctions was appropriate in this case.
    Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 18 May 2025
  • But now, with what is happening, the title is even more appropriate.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • The grant was approved last year with strong support from both sides of the political aisle, which was fitting, as glioblastoma killed both Sen. John McCain, an Arizona Republican, and Sen. Ted Kennedy, a Massachusetts Democrat.
    Karen Weintraub, USA Today, 9 May 2025
  • This last one is really important, because there’s some concern that tightly fitting belly bands could put too much stress on your pelvic floor, which might theoretically worsen a case of pelvic organ prolapse.
    Kathleen Felton, SELF, 6 May 2025
Adjective
  • To have a golf course — the quality, a major championship-caliber one in Quail Hollow — just south of Charlotte’s center city proper, not a lot of cities can come up with that kind of opportunity.
    Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 14 May 2025
  • Your pricing is too low to support proper delivery.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • The set comes with one flat and one fitted sheet, and two pillowcases—plus, the sheets also have 18-inch pockets that have enough give to pair with memory foam or mattress toppers, providing the best fit possible.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Just go a size or two down from your usual for a fitted look.
    Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Candidates must be physically and mentally fit and meet standards for vision, hearing, cardiovascular, neurological and psychiatric health.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 9 May 2025
  • In particular, Hansi Flick faces a dilemma in attack, where veteran forward Robert Lewandowski is believed to be fully fit but has not started a game in three weeks and will be lacking match sharpness, which could allow Ferran Torres to keep his place.
    Sam Leveridge, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Apt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apt. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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