acceptable
adjective
ac·cept·able
ik-ˈsep-tə-bəl 
ak-,
also ek-
1
: capable or worthy of being accepted
an acceptable noise level
socially acceptable behavior
a compromise that is acceptable to both sides
Examples of acceptable in a Sentence
acceptable and unacceptable noise levels
It was an acceptable performance, although not an outstanding one.
She plays an acceptable game of tennis.
Recent Examples on the Web
Seventy-nine percent said cash and gift cards are more acceptable today than in the past.
—
Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Spark comfortably answers questions and generates striking graphical presentations—at least on subjects deemed acceptable by Chinese authorities.
—Matthew Tostevin, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
This behavior is legally acceptable in some towns and unclear or forbidden in others.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 Sep. 2025
The actor-comedian described rather nervously warming up for the event with a set in Bahrain to get a feel for what an audience in the region would find funny (and acceptable) and then performing at the Saudi Arabia festival’s opening night on Friday.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for acceptable
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Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Spark comfortably answers questions and generates striking graphical presentations—at least on subjects deemed acceptable by Chinese authorities.
—Matthew Tostevin, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
This behavior is legally acceptable in some towns and unclear or forbidden in others.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 Sep. 2025
The actor-comedian described rather nervously warming up for the event with a set in Bahrain to get a feel for what an audience in the region would find funny (and acceptable) and then performing at the Saudi Arabia festival’s opening night on Friday.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for acceptable
Cite this Entry
“Acceptable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acceptable. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
acceptable
adjective
ac·cept·able
ik-ˈsep-tə-bəl
ak-
1
: capable or worthy of being accepted : satisfactory
an acceptable excuse
2
: barely good enough
plays an acceptable game
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