befitting 1 of 2

adjective

bi-ˈfi-tiŋ How to pronounce befitting (audio)
Definition of befittingnext
1
as in proper
following the established traditions of refined society and good taste many voters feel that the womanizing governor has not acted in a befitting manner for someone who serves as the state's chief executive

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in appropriate
meeting the requirements of a purpose or situation a befitting reply to a civil question

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

befitting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of befit
as in fitting
to be fitting or proper spoke politely of the deceased, as befitted the occasion

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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 befitting
Adjective
If there was ever a notion that profanity isn’t befitting of the nation’s highest office, that standard has largely eroded. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026 Not only is the snowfall seemingly more befitting of January or February, but the temperatures are too. — Tara Molina, CBS News, 2 Dec. 2025
Verb
The doors add to the drama befitting a flagship for a startup automaker and will certainly draw attention out on Saudi roads. — Chad Kirchner, ArsTechnica, 21 Sep. 2026 Rising Viggo Björck Björck’s performance was befitting of a top prospect with top-six aspirations. — Murat Ates, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for befitting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befitting
  1. proper
  2. appropriate
  3. fitting
  4. polite
  5. suitable
  6. suiting
  7. respectable
  8. fit
Adjective
  • This should be the proper way to handle things, whenever these idiot artists decide to rant.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Among the errors cited in the August 6 report is a failure to allow proper curing (drying) time for the caulk applied to the expansion joints that separate the basin’s concrete slabs.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of proper
Adjective
  • When a print requires another color or material, the machine parks the current nozzle and collects the appropriate replacement.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
  • This is entirely appropriate for spaces where everything is allowed.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of appropriate
Verb
  • These do convey a sense of disassociation fitting for a woman like Colette, who seems to leave her body in the midst of her degrading work, but in this case, the repetition does not build or reveal more emotion.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Navigation aside, the mechanism also gives engineers a way to produce powerful movements without fitting a larger motor.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of fitting
Adjective
  • The conversations remained cordial, despite vehement disagreements at times, with Talarico and the voters engaging in polite small talk before delving into, at times, heavy topics.
    — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The application moves away from last-minute stress, unwanted items, and polite pretense, establishing a modern channel for intentional giving.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of polite
Adjective
  • The aircraft will declare an emergency with air traffic control, then autonomously fly to the nearest suitable airport, communicate with air traffic control, and safely land, bringing the plane to a full stop and shutting down the engine.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Sydney Sweeney delivered a suitable transitional look for a warmer-than-usual autumn that New Yorkers are experiencing.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of suitable
Verb
  • Power suiting for women has certainly struck a chord in the culture.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • At the time, her hair was a light auburn shade, suiting her role as Esther Greenwood, who is described as being brunette in Sylvia Plath’s 1963 novel.
    — Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of suiting
Adjective
  • For 26 years, Ecuador has remained immune from the plague of a currency crisis and has sustained respectable economic growth, low inflation, and surging exports.
    — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Neither release became a theatrical phenomenon, but each earned more than $40 million worldwide — suggesting even mediocre horror films can get respectable returns when their premises are appealing enough.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of respectable
Adjective
  • However, her choice of a plainer variety for Monday’s festivities fit with the occasion’s decorum.
    — Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Every one of those steps fit inside the budget the organization already had.
    — Anna Maria Chavez, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of fit

Browse Nearby Words

befitted
befitting
befog
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Cite this Entry

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

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