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

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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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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
But remove a soft cover, and the metal beneath reveals a series of slots that allow a wide variety of attachments to be fitted into place. — ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2026 OpenAI’s no-training promise covers Input and Output, but the notebook fits neither definition. — Adam Fish, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
Noun
Does the recruiter assess candidate fit, or does the system flag emotional patterns that override human judgment? — Dr. Nore Salman, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Jorts for men These loose, straight-leg denim shorts from Levi’s provide a relaxed fit for everyday comfort. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Hubble excels at producing razor-sharp images of individual objects, Webb peers farther back into cosmic history than any telescope before it, and Roman will survey enormous swaths of the sky to reveal how those objects fit into the wider universe. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Katz ended up making the motion in favor of recommending the rezoning, saying the project fit with the town’s zoning plan and surrounding properties. — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 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
  • For players 20 and older, a full season in the AHL sufficed to accrue a professional season.
    — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The majority explained that authority for the president to construct the ballroom requires satisfying both of those statutes; neither alone suffices.
    — Ellen P. Aprill, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of suffice
Verb
  • Back in 2015, Parton and her team buried a chestnut box filled with physical copies of a brand new song in two formats, cassette and CD, along with their corresponding players, under her Dollywood DreamMore Resort and Spa.
    — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The cabin sound is enhanced using technology that senses intake pressure and creates a corresponding engine sound routed through the speakers.
    — Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of correspond
Verb
  • Critics also questioned whether UCLA’s athletic department had adapted quickly enough to the NIL era.
    — Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Over the years, Marco Polo has adapted to the neighborhood’s changing demographics by downplaying its old-world Italian extravagance.
    — Rachel Corbett, Curbed, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of adapt
Verb
  • Charo urged the government to ensure that hospitals are well-equipped to handle complications during childbirth, and to not leave frantic families waiting for information.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Whether supporting the Trident missile or other systems throughout the fleet, NSWC Corona’s work equips sailors with the confidence to trust their systems — empowering them to deliver peace through strength when the nation depends on them most.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of equip
Verb
  • Simmer said there’s enough geographic diversity in the league to hold games in February because warm weather markets are able to accommodate them.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The various configurations allow the property to accommodate a range of needs, budgets, and even levels of privacy, making the experience that much more customizable.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of accommodate
Verb
  • The e-commerce giant is preparing to launch its Prime Air service in Tracy as part of a broader expansion effort that will bring delivery drones to 500 cities and towns by the end of the year.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Many of the dozens missing in its environs were foreign nationals, chiefly Indian or Indian-origin pilgrims who were returning from, or preparing to make, the journey further into Tibet to Mount Kailash, a holy site for Hindus and Buddhists.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of prepare
Noun
  • Thirteen days before Morissette’s lawsuit, Urinov filed her own claim against the singer in London’s King Bench Division, which handles cases of defamation, misuse of private information, data protection, and harassment by publication.
    — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Court records show that Tiger Woods plans to change his not guilty plea in his DUI case in Florida.
    — Bob Harkins, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of case
Noun
  • The burst and ability to create separation jumped out, as did his calm and composed finish, all at seemingly peak speed.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
  • This horror movie mostly just smelled of fake fog from a community theater production and occasionally you were startled by random bursts of air, once again pulling you from the events on screen.
    — Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fit

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fit

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