APROPOS Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'apropos' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of apropos are applicable , apposite , germane , material , pertinent , and relevant . While all these words mean "relating to or bearing upon the matter in hand," apropos suggests being both relevant and opportune. // the quip was apropos

Q: When is 'applicable' a more appropriate choice than 'apropos'?

While the synonyms applicable and apropos are close in meaning, applicable suggests the fitness of bringing a general rule or principle to bear upon a particular case. // the rule is not applicable in this case

Q: Where would 'apposite' be a reasonable alternative to 'apropos'?

The synonyms apposite and apropos are sometimes interchangeable, but apposite suggests a felicitous relevance. // add an apposite quotation to the definition

Q: When could 'germane' be used to replace 'apropos'?

Although the words germane and apropos have much in common, germane may additionally imply a fitness for or appropriateness to the situation or occasion. // a point not germane to the discussion

Q: When is it sensible to use 'material' instead of 'apropos'?

While in some cases nearly identical to apropos , material implies so close a relationship that it cannot be dispensed with without serious alteration of the case. // facts material to the investigation

Q: When would 'pertinent' be a good substitute for 'apropos'?

The words pertinent and apropos are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, pertinent stresses a clear and decisive relevance. // a pertinent observation

Q: When might 'relevant' be a better fit than 'apropos'?

In some situations, the words relevant and apropos are roughly equivalent. However, relevant implies a traceable, significant, logical connection. // found material relevant to her case

apropos 1 of 3

adjective

ˌa-prə-ˈpō

Definition of apropos

as in relevant

having to do with the matter at hand the actor announced to reporters that he would regard as apropos only questions about the movie and would ignore inquiries about his love life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

apropos

2 of 3

adverb

as in by the way

by way of interjection or digression I went up to New York last weekend; apropos, have you seen your New York cousins lately?

Synonyms & Similar Words

apropos

3 of 3

preposition

as in concerning

having to do with makes a number of telling observations apropos the current political situation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word apropos different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of apropos are applicable, apposite, germane, material, pertinent, and relevant. While all these words mean "relating to or bearing upon the matter in hand," apropos suggests being both relevant and opportune.

the quip was apropos

When is applicable a more appropriate choice than apropos?

While the synonyms applicable and apropos are close in meaning, applicable suggests the fitness of bringing a general rule or principle to bear upon a particular case.

the rule is not applicable in this case

Where would apposite be a reasonable alternative to apropos?

The synonyms apposite and apropos are sometimes interchangeable, but apposite suggests a felicitous relevance.

add an apposite quotation to the definition

When could germane be used to replace apropos?

Although the words germane and apropos have much in common, germane may additionally imply a fitness for or appropriateness to the situation or occasion.

a point not germane to the discussion

When is it sensible to use material instead of apropos?

While in some cases nearly identical to apropos, material implies so close a relationship that it cannot be dispensed with without serious alteration of the case.

facts material to the investigation

When would pertinent be a good substitute for apropos?

The words pertinent and apropos are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, pertinent stresses a clear and decisive relevance.

a pertinent observation

When might relevant be a better fit than apropos?

In some situations, the words relevant and apropos are roughly equivalent. However, relevant implies a traceable, significant, logical connection.

found material relevant to her case

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 apropos

Adjective

Which makes this decades-old literary quote a terribly apropos citation for these times. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 26 May 2026 Whatever your thoughts on Elon Musk’s politics, his management philosophy — lean, fast-moving, unconventional — is especially apropos in the age of AI. — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 27 Mar. 2026

Adverb

Surefire Market is located where Leah & Louise used to be, and that seems apropos. — Timothy Depeugh, Charlotte Observer, 19 Feb. 2026 And was Ozzy Osbourne showing up posthumously to give us/the (confused) kids one last scare rather apropos? — Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for apropos

Recent Examples of Synonyms for apropos

Adjective

Winning longer term, Ngai said, requires investing in China to stay relevant in a giant consumer market — and consequently competitive in other countries where Chinese companies are expanding.

— Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
Abigail Witmer does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

— Abigail Witmer, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of relevant

Adverb

Quesabirria Tacos Top spot on the list goes to the quesabirria tacos — which, incidentally, were also the favorite of Cruz, the chef.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 25 Aug. 2026
Her cancer was discovered incidentally six years later while at the hospital for a urinary tract infection.

— Kim Johnson, STAT, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of incidentally

Preposition

Metro Police detectives are continuing to investigate the shooting, and are in contact with the District Attorney’s Office regarding charging decisions.

— Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 18 Oct. 2025
Was any decision made regarding reducing Partey’s media obligations?

— James McNicholas, New York Times, 11 July 2025

Definition of regarding

Adjective

The approach can be especially applicable when several providers in one area use similar equipment.

— Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
In court Friday, Rothblatt said prosecutors determined Company A had paid all applicable income taxes to the IRS on time, and that any personal income taxes that had been owed by Individual B were paid up in following years.

— Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of applicable

Preposition

Still, there’s something about going back to basics at the dawn of a new season that feels especially right.

— Laura Jackson, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026
Crump also made a Facebook post about the Blytheville incident on Saturday, which had been shared more than 4,000 times as of Sunday afternoon.

— Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of about

Preposition

The idea that these two would have a five-minute-or-less breakup conversation, then plop down on the couch and happily embark on an acid trip together, strains credulity a little, even for this bizarre, codependent friend group.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
The drug, marketed as Bixlenvo, is aimed at patients whose virus is already under control but who remain on complicated treatment regimens.

— Justina Lee, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of on

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“Apropos.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apropos. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of apropos

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adverb

preposition

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Synonyms of apropos

adjective

adverb

preposition

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Phrases Containing apropos

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to apropos

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Podcast

Cite this Entry

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