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

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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
Administration officials want to dictate what questions to ask and which evidence is acceptable to fit their worldviews and further their aims. — Andrew V. Papachristos, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025 And while the 26-year-old would give Arsenal a more direct goal threat, would Arteta be willing to change his style to facilitate his natural play, or would the striker have to learn to fit into the system? — Art De Roché, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
Salt Lake would seem a perfect fit, except for one thing: Republican Governor Cox is weighing whether to keep the festival’s revenues instate or sign a bill forbidding the flying of certain flags on state buildings and schools, including the Pride flag. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Mar. 2025 Now, with Opening Day next Thursday, Smith will ostensibly try to find a better fit for his services as a free agent. — Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Its exterior boasts a slew of standard features fit for on or off-road. — Marc D Grasso, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2025 Many people assume that slow, steady cardio — like jogging or brisk walking — is the best way to stay fit. — Jesse Pines, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 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
  • Mid-March can suffice for early plantings of potatoes, but there is a risk of tuber rot if conditions turn cold and damp.
    — Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Current efforts to try to drive a wedge between Moscow and Libyan National Army Commander Khalifa Haftar, who controls the parts of Libya that house Russian military assets, will not suffice.
    — Hanna Notte, Foreign Affairs, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of suffice
Verb
  • Note: Most subscribers have some, but not all, of the puzzles that correspond to the following set of solutions for their local newspaper.
    — USA TODAY, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The scale is finely graduated in kilometers and corresponds to the duration divided by the speed of sound (approximately 1,240 km/h).
    — Anthony DeMarco, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of correspond
Verb
  • The shift was likely caused by adapting to a smaller landmass with less available food for the elephants.
    — Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Entrepreneurs who embrace curiosity, are willing to ask questions, to evolve, to adapt, to push boundaries, and to embrace new solutions, will be successful.
    — Margot Machol Bisnow, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of adapt
Verb
  • The danger is, however, that when long-standing members of staff assume complex and often difficult leadership roles, they won’t be equipped to deal with the pressures.
    — Trevor Clawson, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • It's equipped for streaming, browsing, or basic productivity tools like Google Workspace March 30 at 11:59 p.m.
    — StackCommerce Team (Sponsored), PCMAG, 23 Mar. 2025
Definition of equip
Verb
  • Padilla said officials recognized the need and have planned for equipment to be shipped to accommodate private attorney calls.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Listen to this article Solana Beach has issued permits for 178 out of 875 housing units that the city needs to accommodate as part of the state’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation process, but none yet for very low income units, according to an annual update at the March 26 City Council meeting.
    — Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of accommodate
Verb
  • In the North, where a rebel army prepares to march on London, the statesman has become a monster with which to scare children.
    — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Unexpected flavors swirl together, from whiskey naan; samosa with jackfruit; baked lamb nachos; cheese and prune kofta; and Queens Duck, a whole roast duck that takes 45 minutes to prepare, and is carved tableside and served with a rumani pancake and tamarind hoisin.
    — Cynthia J Drake, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of prepare
Noun
  • In many cases, these startups rely on partnerships with banks or insurers behind the scenes, effectively becoming a slick user interface on top of more traditional financial institutions.
    — Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The problem with that argument, Kessler and Berman note, is that there is no precedent for a court holding that Title IX applies to the allocation of damages in an antitrust case.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of case
Noun
  • The Gators responded with six consecutive points before Maryland embarked on a 6-2 burst for a 36-35 lead.
    — Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 28 Mar. 2025
  • In the video, first published by The Guardian, Redknapp is also seen raising his left arm, prompting a burst of laughter from the audience.
    — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
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 Apr. 2025.

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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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