enough 1 of 3

Definition of enoughnext
1
2
3

enough

2 of 3

adjective

enough

3 of 3

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 artistry is perhaps most evident during character introductions, key in short fiction, when personalities must enter the page memorably enough to keep track of but quickly enough not to derail momentum. Literary Hub, 14 July 2026 Playing at home, Kyle Schwarber did just enough to advance to the second round, even if Harper didn’t. Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 14 July 2026
Adjective
Even the idyllic island on which the nymph Calypso (Charlize Theron) is keeping an amnesiac Odysseus when the film begins is depicted as a windswept sandbar that looks in danger of being washed away by a strong-enough storm. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 15 July 2026 Bunch appears to have enough support on the board that would maintain his control until the midterms this year, and even until 2029. News Desk, Artforum, 15 July 2026
Noun
The most important metric is becoming intelligence per dollar, making Zhipu's cheap-but-good-enough model an attractive answer. Deirdre Bosa,jasmine Wu, CNBC, 26 June 2026 In an August 2021 Denton County Commissioner’s Court meeting, Hudspeth challenged the county about not doing enough for the cemetery. Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for enough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enough
Adverb
  • Everything from the environments to the tasks to the specific objects being manipulated can be carefully selected to show just what’s possible if all this could be sufficiently generalized—but that generalization is not yet proven.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 13 July 2026
  • Manzambi scored three goals and registered two assists in four games, but missed the Colombia penalty victory with a knock and did not recover sufficiently to face Argentina.
    Tom Burrows, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Adverb
  • The stakes are pretty high to keep the air conditioning going.
    Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • Term lengths range from 12 to 24 months, which is pretty on par with that of other lenders in the space.
    Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 14 July 2026
Adverb
  • The stakes for new avatar don’t feel quite as high—the specific circumstances around the former was a perfect storm that'll be tough to duplicate—but the music isn’t any less potent for it.
    Lawrence Burney, Pitchfork, 16 July 2026
  • SpaceX tried to launch the Starship megarocket on its 13th test flight today but couldn't quite pull it off.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 16 July 2026
Adjective
  • Company executives have stated that engine deliveries are rising in line with Boeing’s production goals, ensuring sufficient supply as airlines continue expanding their long-haul fleets.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 19 July 2026
  • There are states in which a lack of sufficient workers or the attempt to maintain equal representation can override the party affiliation prerequisite.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026
Noun
  • This freedom includes the expression of health, harmony, sufficiency, and the ability to think and act rightly.
    Rob Nofsinger, Christian Science Monitor, 10 July 2026
  • Owners discovered that a small flock fits neatly into a suburban routine and pays back in eggs, entertainment and a sense of self-sufficiency.
    Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2026
Adverb
  • Year over year, the basin has experienced reduced supply, often combined with a string of very dry years, and the river system has never been able to adequately rebuild its supply.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 13 July 2026
  • The hospital said all units operated without issue, while nurses said the emergency department did not respond adequately to a woman suffering a medical emergency outside the hospital.
    O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 10 July 2026
Adverb
  • In what was a relatively uncharacteristic ending for this Spain team – perhaps seeing the finish line so close – the squad allowed Argentina a few last chances, two of which couldn’t have been closer in the final eight minutes or so of the match.
    Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • Scripps researchers looked at the possibility of using this geoengineering over a shorter term in a relatively regional application that shortens the timeline and reduces the bureaucratic complexity of implementing it.
    Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026
Adverb
  • The man behind the wheel overrode driver-assistance features and fully pressed the car’s accelerator, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.
    Faiz Siddiqui, Washington Post, 17 July 2026
  • However, they are not banded, so their activity will not be fully tracked.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 16 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Enough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enough. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on enough

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster