fit 1 of 3

verb

Definition of fitnext
1
as in to suffice
archaic to be fitting or proper we hardly know them, so for Christmas a simple card will fit

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to correspond
to be in agreement on every point now that you've explained your absence to me, my records and the office's fit

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to adapt
to change (something) so as to make it suitable for a new use or situation I can undo the hem on these old culottes and fit them into a skirt

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to equip
to make competent (as by training, skill, or ability) for a particular office or function that final computer course should fit him for a career in programming

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5
as in to accommodate
to make or have room for we can fit you in the booth if the rest of us squeeze closer together

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6
as in to prepare
to make ready in advance I won't have time to fit the spare room for the guests

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fit

2 of 3

noun

1
as in case
a sudden experiencing of a physical or mental disorder without her medication, she'd have an epileptic fit

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in burst
a sudden intense expression of strong feeling helpless fits of laughter from the audience

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3
as in scene
an outburst or display of excited anger found out what his wife had spent on clothes and threw a fit

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fit

3 of 3

adjective

ˈfit How to pronounce fit (audio)
1
as in suitable
meeting the requirements of a purpose or situation clothing that is fit for horseback riding

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2
as in go
being in a state of fitness for some experience or action fit for military service

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in available
capable of or suitable for being used for a particular purpose I don't think those bald tires are fit for winter driving

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4
as in healthy
enjoying health and vigor eat well and stay fit

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in qualified
having the required skills for an acceptable level of performance need to hire someone whose language skills make them fit for the job

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fit differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fit are appropriate, apt, felicitous, fitting, happy, meet, proper, and suitable. While all these words mean "right with respect to some end, need, use, or circumstance," fit stresses adaptability and sometimes special readiness for use or action.

fit for battle

When can appropriate be used instead of fit?

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

an appropriate gift

When is apt a more appropriate choice than fit?

The words apt and fit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, apt connotes a fitness marked by nicety and discrimination.

apt quotations

In what contexts can felicitous take the place of fit?

Although the words felicitous and fit have much in common, felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful.

a felicitous phrase

Where would fitting be a reasonable alternative to fit?

The synonyms fitting and fit are sometimes interchangeable, but fitting implies harmony of mood or tone.

a fitting end

When could happy be used to replace fit?

The words happy and fit can be used in similar contexts, but happy suggests what is effectively or successfully appropriate.

a happy choice of words

When is it sensible to use meet instead of fit?

In some situations, the words meet and fit are roughly equivalent. However, meet suggests a just proportioning.

meet payment

When might proper be a better fit than fit?

The meanings of proper and fit largely overlap; however, proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom.

proper acknowledgement

When would suitable be a good substitute for fit?

While the synonyms suitable and fit 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 fit
Verb
Russia and Ukraine are increasingly relying on tactical glide bombs, conventional aerial bombs fitted with wings and guidance systems. — Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 Yet the Village People’s hits endured in a way few other disco novelties could, forever blasted out at weddings and occasionally ill-fitting public events. — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 1 July 2026
Noun
However, the right pest control company depends on your home, location, pests and budget, meaning one of the other companies on our best list might be a better fit. — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 1 July 2026 In Michigan, the state published a list of 267 occupations that were eligible, leaving it up to the colleges to decide which programs might be the best fit. — Elissa Nadworny, NPR, 30 June 2026
Adjective
His blistering speed and direct running from the left flank fit well with Mbappe, Olise and Dembele. — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 4 July 2026 The same goes for discovering petite-friendly clothing brands with styles that not only fit, but also flatter shorter frames. — Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fit
  1. suffice
  2. correspond
  3. adapt
  4. equip
  5. accommodate
  6. prepare
  7. case
  8. burst
Verb
  • If time doesn’t allow for spa treatments, a morning swim in the indoor pool accompanied by a sauna and cold plunge in one of their two thermal suites might suffice.
    — Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • Nothing less than radical, out-of-the-box thinking will suffice given their current, suffocating, purgatorial scenario.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 29 June 2026
Definition of suffice
Verb
  • The three-person team then found the corresponding symbols on a paper chart.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • To discover that the notes corresponded to where there was more human activity was really very moving.
    — Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of correspond
Verb
  • Each method can be adapted to fit different living situations, energy levels and comfort zones.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026
  • The action movie directed by Francis Lawrence and adapted from Suzanne Collins’ 2025 novel sees Zada step into the role that was previously played by Woody Harrelson.
    — Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Definition of adapt
Verb
  • The result is uncommon room layouts like the tri-suite king room equipped with two twin-sized beds and a king bed split by a privacy divider that doubles as a playful art installation.
    — Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • Some locations have tables equipped with leash hooks and water bowls.
    — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026
Definition of equip
Verb
  • The ship can accommodate 5,610 guests at double occupancy, according to a cruise line fact sheet.
    — Nathan Diller, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • Not every backyard can accommodate the 60-foot by 30-foot footprint these courts require, and his residential courts tend to be in communities where larger properties are the norm — like Hillsborough, Atherton, Woodside and Saratoga.
    — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 5 July 2026
Definition of accommodate
Verb
  • Jakucionis addressed the deal while preparing for his current work with Lithuania’s national team in World Cup qualifying.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 4 July 2026
  • Atop the bar cart is a stainless steel surface coated in a satin finish, which provides a sleek place to prepare appetizers and meals and an easy-to-clean surface.
    — Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 4 July 2026
Definition of prepare
Noun
  • As of July 6, 23 cases of Legionnaires' disease have been confirmed in two of Manhattan's Upper East Side neighborhoods, according to the New York City Department of Health.
    — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 7 July 2026
  • Multiple references are made to an op-ed Weist wrote making a case for greater regulation of the private investigator industry.
    — Rhoda Feng, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of case
Noun
  • Jennifer Storms, chief marketing officer for NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, said her team has carefully planned the timing of the spots to coincide with the burst of patriotism and celebration around America 250 events.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 3 July 2026
  • Used on the plate (rather than during cooking), finishing salt adds crunch, elegance and a burst of salinity.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
Definition of burst

Phrases Containing fit

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fists
fit
fitful
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Cite this Entry

“Fit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fit. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fit

Nglish: Translation of fit for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fit

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