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

CoreMotion technology accelerates the transition from autonomy development and experimentation to operationally relevant capability, as per the release.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Confirm your selections match the relevant insurer, policy, and claim type.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of relevant

Adverb

Founded in 1987 by David Duffield and Ken Morris, PeopleSoft—which was, incidentally, launched with venture backing from IBM—was the revolutionary ERP software company of its day.

— Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026
The Midnight Madness People’s Choice winner was Ladies And Gentlemen, Brian Mulroney (incidentally box office phenomenon Obsession was first runner up last year).

— Pete Hammond, Deadline, 20 Sep. 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

Tesla still needs to prove the Roadster can be manufactured reliably and meet applicable regulations.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
According to Vertical, the LCR-110 meets applicable EASA and Federal Aviation Administration technical standards for inertial reference equipment.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of applicable

Preposition

Detainees were eventually taken into a tent and questioned by ICE agents about their immigration status.

— Philip Wang, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
Following backlash, Crawford removed the post from her X timeline on Sunday afternoon and apologized for violating the network’s standards, amid complaints from internal and external critics about the post to CBS News leadership.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of about

Preposition

Its components must balance dexterity, durability, cost, and ease of maintenance, particularly as the robot moves toward wider industrial use.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
Zoledronate might also offer a way to increase the number and activity of these immune cells, while tarlatamab could help direct their attack towards tumors.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of toward

Preposition

Jimmy Kimmel set his sights on Katie Zacharia, the latest blonde woman to act as Donald Trump‘s press secretary.

— Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2026
Today’s Theme This puzzle narrates a breakdown in communication that takes place, presumably, on a video call.

— Sam Corbin, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of on

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apropos of

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Style

“Apropos.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apropos. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of apropos

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preposition

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Synonyms of apropos

adjective

adverb

preposition

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Phrases Containing apropos

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Cite this Entry

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