apposite
adjective
Did you know?
Apposite and opposite sound so much alike that you would expect them to have a common ancestor—and they do: the Latin verb pōnere, which means "to place, set.” The prefixes that we see in the pair, ap- and op-, specify the kind of placement. Apposite is from appōnere, meaning “to place near,” and opposite is from oppōnere, one meaning of which is "to place (over or against).” Opposite is of course the far more common word, but apposite is useful too and is, ahem, apposite in descriptions of what is very appropriate or suitable for something, as in “an apposite comment.”
Synonyms
- applicable
- apropos
- germane
- material
- pertinent
- pointed
- relative
- relevant
Example Sentences
Barton Swaim, WSJ, 19 Aug. 2022 There does, though, seem to be one apposite fact missing from this puzzle: the fact that people grow up. New York Times, 29 July 2022 Burns points to an apposite scene in the last episode, of an unspecified protest march across New York’s Brooklyn Bridge. David Bloom, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2021 There is something apposite and almost ridiculously perfect about the fact that Margaret Howell’s 50th anniversary has come around in 2020. Sarah Mower, Vogue, 22 Sep. 2020 In that regard, Mr. Obama seems an apposite speaker at Mandela’s centenary. Peter Godwin, WSJ, 13 July 2018 Here Helmchen was in his element, finding apposite aural equivalents for each Beethoven marking and achieving special results in the 10th, presto, variation played staccato and light, and the whirlwind No. 23. Alan Artner, chicagotribune.com, 11 June 2018 But times have changed, and the comparison of the two parades is only partly apposite. William Neuman, New York Times, 23 May 2017 See More Word History
borrowed from Latin appositus "situated near, ready at hand, suitable, apt," from past participle of appōnere "to place near, put or fit on, contribute as an additional element," from ap- ap- entry 1 + pōnere "to place, set, put in position" — more at position entry 1
1621, in the meaning defined above
Legal Definition
apposite
adjective
apposite
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- relevant
- applicable
- pertinent
- apropos
- germane
- appropriate
- pointed
- relative
- important
- meaningful
- useful
- suitable
- to the point
- apt
- fitting
- material
- significant
- sensible
- allowable
- fit
- admissible
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- inapposite
- irrelevant
- immaterial
- inapplicable
- impertinent
- extraneous
- pointless
- trivial
- little
- unimportant
- trifling
- frivolous
- insignificant
- minor
- slight
- meaningless
- irrelative
- inconsequential
- negligible
- useless
- unsuitable
- inappropriate
- purposeless
- inapt
- inadmissible
- senseless
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of apposite are applicable, apropos, germane, material, pertinent, and relevant. While all these words mean "relating to or bearing upon the matter in hand," apposite suggests a felicitous relevance.
Although the words applicable and apposite have much in common, applicable suggests the fitness of bringing a general rule or principle to bear upon a particular case.
In some situations, the words apropos and apposite are roughly equivalent. However, apropos suggests being both relevant and opportune.
The words germane and apposite are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, germane may additionally imply a fitness for or appropriateness to the situation or occasion.
While in some cases nearly identical to apposite, material implies so close a relationship that it cannot be dispensed with without serious alteration of the case.
The synonyms pertinent and apposite are sometimes interchangeable, but pertinent stresses a clear and decisive relevance.
The words relevant and apposite can be used in similar contexts, but relevant implies a traceable, significant, logical connection.