Synonyms of sufficient

sufficient

adjective

as in adequate

Related Words

• adequate
• reasonable
• acceptable
• satisfactory
• tolerable
• okay
• decent
• all right
• sufficing
• OK
• ordinary
• medium
• common
• passable
• indifferent
• fair
• moderate
• middling
• mediocre
• modest
• alright
• second-class
• minimal
• run-of-the-mine
• run-of-mine
• so-so
• presentable
• respectable
• second-rate
• run-of-the-mill
• nice
• unexceptional
• fine
• good

Dissimilar Words

• maximum
• excellent
• special
• optimal
• great
• optimum
• outstanding
• superior
• distinguished
• prime
• exceptional
• superb
• supreme
• splendid
• terrific
• top
• first-class
• marvelous
• choice
• exquisite
• marvellous
• stellar
• superlative
• fantastic
• capital
• grand
• sterling
• classic
• matchless
• swell
• par excellence
• fabulous
• peerless
• sensational
• number one
• nifty
• A1
• No. 1
• insufficient
• preeminent
• unparalleled
• first-rate
• inadequate
• unsurpassed
• unmatched
• top-notch
• lacking
• tip-top
• deficient
• unsatisfactory
• wanting
• unacceptable

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective sufficient contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sufficient are adequate, competent, and enough. While all these words mean "being what is necessary or desirable," sufficient suggests a close meeting of a need.

sufficient savings

When might adequate be a better fit than sufficient?

The synonyms adequate and sufficient are sometimes interchangeable, but adequate may imply barely meeting a requirement.

the service was adequate

Where would competent be a reasonable alternative to sufficient?

Although the words competent and sufficient have much in common, 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

How are the words enough and sufficient related?

Enough is less exact in suggestion than sufficient.

do you have enough food?

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sufficient

Surgical options may be considered if conservative treatments do not provide sufficient relief, including the repair of affected structures or the drainage of excess fluid. —Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 16 Aug. 2025

There have also been a few instances of people getting infected in swimming pools or at splash pads where the water lacked sufficient chlorine. —Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025

While lack of sufficient saliva is inconvenient at best, having an excessively dry mouth can lead to fairly serious issues such as an increase in tooth decay caused by plaque build-up as well as gum disease. —New Atlas, 15 Aug. 2025

Drinking water should be sufficient for most people. —Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 14 Aug. 2025