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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 Keep adequate airflow by removing the canister and using soapy water to wash it in a sink. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 29 June 2025 The undeniable fact is that the demand for power is growing in Maryland, and its power plants are shutting down without adequate replacements. Jason M. Stanek, Baltimore Sun, 29 June 2025 The crops also need fertilizer about once a month and water when rainfall is not adequate. Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2025 Without adequate oversight, condo boards often operate with impunity, disregarding state laws and their own bylaws with little consequence. Steven Delco, Hartford Courant, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for adequate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adequate
Adjective
  • Building a high-functioning AI agent isn’t cheap: from $5,000 at the low end to upwards of $20,000 just to get something decent off the ground.
    Brando Murphy, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • Start by rolling them on a countertop with a decent amount of pressure; doing so helps release the lemon juice from its membranes.
    Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • To begin with, bombardment is unlikely to lead to a satisfactory outcome.
    Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 21 June 2025
  • At highway cruising speed, the SUV is satisfactory.
    James Raia, Mercury News, 16 June 2025
Adjective
  • That looks like a pretty good bet to me, going forward.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 24 June 2025
  • What Aggarwal does best is to blend traditional Indian craftsmanship with modern designs, and this collection was no different — with his modern reinterpretations of vintage Banarasi textiles.
    Footwear News, Footwear News, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • Yet there's also some darn fine journalism in writer/director James Gunn's film.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 1 July 2025
  • But while the city is a logical place to do it, historically associated with the fine watch industry and home to Rolex, Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, and Audemars Piguet, there are other options.
    Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • Celebrities from Kim Kardashian to Chrissy Teigan to Ari Lennox have been spotted wearing bralettes as shirts, making this a perfectly acceptable garment to wear under a crochet dress.
    Bianca Lambert, Glamour, 24 June 2025
  • Others in the comment section sided with Tallulah and argued that her photos of her father are acceptable.
    Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Adequate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adequate. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

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