ADEQUATE Synonyms: 150 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'adequate' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of adequate are competent , enough , and sufficient . While all these words mean "being what is necessary or desirable," adequate may imply barely meeting a requirement. // the service was adequate

Q: When could 'competent' be used to replace 'adequate'?

The words competent and adequate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

Q: How are the words 'enough' and 'sufficient' related as synonyms of 'adequate'?

Enough is less exact in suggestion than sufficient . // do you have enough food?

Q: When would 'sufficient' be a good substitute for 'adequate'?

Although the words sufficient and adequate have much in common, sufficient suggests a close meeting of a need. // sufficient savings

adequate

adjective

ˈa-di-kwət

Definition of adequate

as in decent

of a level of quality that meets one's needs or standards this old computer is probably adequate if you just want to type a term paper

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How does the adjective adequate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of adequate are competent, enough, and sufficient. While all these words mean "being what is necessary or desirable," adequate may imply barely meeting a requirement.

the service was adequate

When could competent be used to replace adequate?

The words competent and adequate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 as synonyms of adequate?

Enough is less exact in suggestion than sufficient.

do you have enough food?

When would sufficient be a good substitute for adequate?

Although the words sufficient and adequate have much in common, 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 adequate Starting with their quarterback, Arch Manning once again looked less than adequate for large stretches of the game. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 This does not necessarily mean that taking more vitamin D will increase energy in someone whose level is already adequate. — Sara Hoffman, Verywell Health, 16 Oct. 2026 The pair, a 19-year-old man and 20-year-old woman from Salt Lake City, Utah, had planned for only a day-long hike while their friend summited the mountain and did not have adequate food, water or clothing, the sheriff's office said. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026 Executive privilege is not absolute and can be overcome by an adequate showing of need for the information at issue. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for adequate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for adequate

Adjective

The role of a legitimate people’s government is to level the playing field between the billionaires and the rest of us who are just trying to provide ourselves with decent, dignified lives and get ahead.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026
Like any decent strength coach, Potts and his staff hold their athletes to the consistent standard of challenging themselves.

— PJ Green October 14, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of decent

Adjective

An uninterrupted trip Stoliker thinks chaos is not a satisfactory explanation for psychedelics’ effect on the brain.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 Oct. 2026
After months of negotiations failed to yield a satisfactory agreement, the union approved strike action earlier this month in a vote held in tandem with unions at the Brooklyn Museum and American Folk Art Museum.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of satisfactory

Adjective

Voters who do not have an acceptable photo ID may be able to cast a ballot using an alternative document and, in some cases, sign a Reasonable Impediment Declaration.

— S.E. Jenkins, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
The other, which boards discuss privately far more than publicly, is what the regulator will permit and what’s politically acceptable in each market.

— Ciaran Cosgrave, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of acceptable

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“Adequate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adequate. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of adequate

adjective

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