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Definition of enoughnext
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enough

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adjective

enough

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective enough contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of enough are adequate, competent, and sufficient. While all these words mean "being what is necessary or desirable," enough is less exact in suggestion than sufficient.

do you have enough food?

When would adequate be a good substitute for enough?

Although the words adequate and enough have much in common, adequate may imply barely meeting a requirement.

the service was adequate

When is it sensible to use competent instead of enough?

The words competent and enough can be used in similar contexts, but competent suggests measuring up to all requirements without question or being adequately adapted to an end.

had no competent notion of what was going on

When is sufficient a more appropriate choice than enough?

The synonyms sufficient and enough are sometimes interchangeable, but sufficient suggests a close meeting of a need.

sufficient savings

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 enough
Adverb
This lockbox is compact enough to fit in a carry-on bag or weekender tote, and has a tethering cable to affix it to a secure object. Aly Walansky, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2026 Here, the bedding itself extends low enough to conceal the bed frame. Michelle Mastro, The Spruce, 14 June 2026
Adjective
Update your emergency kit and be sure to include enough food and water to last for 3 days for each person in your home. Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 8 June 2026 Humanity has littered the sky with the refuse of fossil fuel use, releasing enough CO2 to change the planet’s climate. ArsTechnica, 8 June 2026
Noun
But the Celtics haven’t done enough of that. Tony Jones, New York Times, 1 May 2026 If Pavia doesn't do enough on the field in Baltimore to garner some type of contract, his representation will start fielding other calls. Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enough
Adverb
  • As long as the overall drink remains sufficiently boozy, cocktails that contain citrus—such as margaritas, daiquiris, and cosmopolitans—can also work well or just require a few slight tweaks.
    Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 13 June 2026
  • Some were as young as eighteen, some were sufficiently ancient to have made it to fifty-five.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
Adverb
  • First of all, the president’s name is redacted throughout, yet everything else seems pretty familiar to me.
    Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
  • After the two hitters, the two outs felt pretty good.
    Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 11 June 2026
Adverb
  • However, xGC estimates that even with Lionel Messi, their roster doesn’t quite contain the same threat as teams like France and Spain.
    Ethan Douglas, New York Times, 10 June 2026
  • There's nothing quite like growing a classic apple tree (Malus domestica) in your garden.
    SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 9 June 2026
Adjective
  • The Medline warehouse has faced serious citations regarding unsafe vehicle travel behavior; hazardous aisles, ladders, or stairways; and a lack of sufficient foot protection for employees exposed to foot injuries.
    Lyanne Wang, CBS News, 13 June 2026
  • In my experience, that’s no longer sufficient.
    Laura Steinbrink, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Noun
  • What’s worrying to him is that abundance can masquerade as sufficiency.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 June 2026
  • Some have raised concerns about the cleanup’s sufficiency.
    Michelle de la Uz, New York Daily News, 13 May 2026
Adverb
  • The family additionally alleges that Roblox failed to adequately disclose the risks children face on the platform.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 14 June 2026
  • Many earlier studies linking weight cycling to cardiovascular and metabolic risk failed to adequately control for confounding factors including age, underlying health status and the cumulative burden of obesity over time.
    Allison Palmer Updated June 13, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
Adverb
  • An engaging vertical series can produce bigger bang for the buck than one-off collabs with digital influencers, execs says, coming in with a relatively affordable production budget.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 11 June 2026
  • Testing kits used in the region were designed to detect the Zaire strain of the virus, which is more common, rather than the Bundibugyo virus, which is relatively rare.
    Adam England, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
Adverb
  • While Pochettino said the substitution was purely precautionary, American fans will likely remain uneasy until Pulisic is back on the field and fully healthy.
    Matt Reigle, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
  • The addition of a new service, if priced similarly to others, could cost consumers $15 per month to fully realise AI on their smartphones.
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Enough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enough. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.

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