1
2
3
4
5

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective proper differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of proper are appropriate, apt, felicitous, fitting, fit, happy, meet, and suitable. While all these words mean "right with respect to some end, need, use, or circumstance," proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom.

proper acknowledgement

When would appropriate be a good substitute for proper?

Although the words appropriate and proper have much in common, appropriate implies eminent or distinctive fitness.

an appropriate gift

When can apt be used instead of proper?

The meanings of apt and proper largely overlap; however, apt connotes a fitness marked by nicety and discrimination.

apt quotations

When is it sensible to use felicitous instead of proper?

While in some cases nearly identical to proper, felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful.

a felicitous phrase

When is fit a more appropriate choice than proper?

In some situations, the words fit and proper 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 proper?

The words fitting and proper can be used in similar contexts, but fitting implies harmony of mood or tone.

a fitting end

In what contexts can happy take the place of proper?

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

a happy choice of words

When could meet be used to replace proper?

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

meet payment

Where would suitable be a reasonable alternative to proper?

While the synonyms suitable and proper are close in meaning, 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 proper Others, meanwhile, criticized the father for not getting his daughter the proper counseling needed after the incident from her past. Stephanie Guerilus, People.com, 24 May 2025 Without proper treatment, these conditions may cause permanent liver damage. Suchandrima Bhowmik, Health, 24 May 2025 One bill denies the public access to records of complaints against police and corrections officers until a complaint is adjudicated by a proper legal authority. Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 24 May 2025 However, for those who have received the vaccine, some may not be developing a proper immune response. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for proper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proper
Adjective
  • Instead, Storm reached the bottom rope to a polite pop from Glendale.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
  • Sometimes the threat of a fine can produce better results than a polite request.
    Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • Layne suggested Edward ride again the following week, and over time, as the Lamb family regularly made its way to the Batty farm, Edward started to point out the correct directions.
    Alec Lewis, New York Times, 19 May 2025
  • This story was updated with a correct statement from the FBI.
    Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • Robinhood submitted a formal 42-page proposal to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requesting the creation of a federal regulatory framework for the issuance and trading of tokenized RWAs.
    Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • Ramsay is a filmmaker of undeniable formal wizardry and a fearless explorer of psychological rupture.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 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 tablet also supports Dolby Atmos sound, and while the stereo separation is satisfactory, don't expect to be surrounded by the audio.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 21 May 2025
  • However, the conditions are not satisfactory to all.
    Bailey Richards, People.com, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
    Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 19 May 2025
  • To be more accurate, residents in 69 towns rolled out their trash bins every week and never thought about where it was headed and one town received it all.
    Sarah McCoy, Hartford Courant, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • From the outside, Lyons’s house is a textbook Baltimore row home with a modest porch made for relaxing on a nice day or having a smoke while you people-watch.
    Lawrence Burney, Pitchfork, 28 May 2025
  • Wilson completed a pass to Dee Eskridge, who made a nice one-handed catch with cornerback Kendall Sheffield in coverage.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • 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.
    JJ Kinahan, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • Securities, investment products, other financial products or strategies discussed herein may not be suitable for all investors.
    Katie Stockton, CNBC, 19 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Proper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proper. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on proper

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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