GERMANE Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of germane are applicable , apposite , apropos , material , pertinent , and relevant . While all these words mean "relating to or bearing upon the matter in hand," germane may additionally imply a fitness for or appropriateness to the situation or occasion. // a point not germane to the discussion

Q: When would 'applicable' be a good substitute for 'germane'?

While the synonyms applicable and germane 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: When could 'apposite' be used to replace 'germane'?

Although the words apposite and germane have much in common, apposite suggests a felicitous relevance. // add an apposite quotation to the definition

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

The words apropos and germane can be used in similar contexts, but apropos suggests being both relevant and opportune. // the quip was apropos

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

The meanings of material and germane largely overlap; however, 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 might 'pertinent' be a better fit than 'germane'?

In some situations, the words pertinent and germane are roughly equivalent. However, pertinent stresses a clear and decisive relevance. // a pertinent observation

Q: When can 'relevant' be used instead of 'germane'?

The synonyms relevant and germane are sometimes interchangeable, but relevant implies a traceable, significant, logical connection. // found material relevant to her case

germane

adjective

(ˌ)jər-ˈmān

Definition of germane

as in relevant

having to do with the matter at hand my personal opinion isn't germane to our discussion of the facts of the case

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of germane are applicable, apposite, apropos, material, pertinent, and relevant. While all these words mean "relating to or bearing upon the matter in hand," germane may additionally imply a fitness for or appropriateness to the situation or occasion.

a point not germane to the discussion

When would applicable be a good substitute for germane?

While the synonyms applicable and germane 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

When could apposite be used to replace germane?

Although the words apposite and germane have much in common, apposite suggests a felicitous relevance.

add an apposite quotation to the definition

Where would apropos be a reasonable alternative to germane?

The words apropos and germane can be used in similar contexts, but apropos suggests being both relevant and opportune.

the quip was apropos

When is it sensible to use material instead of germane?

The meanings of material and germane largely overlap; however, material implies so close a relationship that it cannot be dispensed with without serious alteration of the case.

facts material to the investigation

When might pertinent be a better fit than germane?

In some situations, the words pertinent and germane are roughly equivalent. However, pertinent stresses a clear and decisive relevance.

a pertinent observation

When can relevant be used instead of germane?

The synonyms relevant and germane are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 germane On Wednesday, Democrats moved aggressively on the postpartum extension issue, proposing amendments that attached the Medicaid change to bill after bill, creating a bit of legislative havoc as Republicans repeatedly ruled the matter not germane to the legislation under consideration. — Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 20 Feb. 2026 Maybe not in the strict sense of everything being entirely germane to the core story. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026 More germane to his current role, his leadership transcended the normal limitations of a middle reliever. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025 That may be a textbook example of interjecting non-germane material into the classroom to indulge one’s political views. — Jonathan Marks, Washington Post, 22 Dec. 2020 See All Example Sentences for germane

Recent Examples of Synonyms for germane

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

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

Browse Nearby Words

germ

germane

germanely

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Germane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/germane. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of germane

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on germane

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes