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 Too many schools are overcrowded, lack adequate mental health professionals and lack arts and extracurricular programming. — Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 The ultimate definition, fixed into all eternity, of the adequate price for a book comes from Joseph Caspar Witsch who on the longlist of legendary publishers ranges straight after Ledig-Rowohlt. — Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026 In August, acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao said the Lincoln maintained adequate food supplies, but because combat operations limited resupply opportunities, meal options were reduced from two to one for a short time. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026 Prier said the city was failing residents and exposing itself to a lawsuit by not providing adequate court access. — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for adequate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for adequate

Adjective

While the price can be inhibiting for some — with chef pants priced as high as $190 and jackets as much as $210, the price of a decent knife or other cooking tools — Argoti feels the heavy usage justifies the cost for him.

— Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
The other was a decent man constantly being tormented by God in order to test his faith.

— Chuck Lorre, Vanity Fair, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of decent

Adjective

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
The effort displayed by Kansas’ 14 men’s basketball players at Bill Self’s 24th annual Boot Camp proved satisfactory to the Hall of Fame Jayhawks coach.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of satisfactory

Adjective

Lucy’s constant sense of invention sometimes falters under the album’s new, megawatt spotlight, lacking the enticing mystery that gives their best music its power.

— H.D. Angel, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026
Among those surveyed, Latinos who didn’t vote in 2024 were more likely than those who had voted to have economic frustrations, like struggling to earn enough money or find a good job.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of good

Adjective

Thinner fibers would allow researchers to embed more sensing elements into garments, potentially capturing finer details of body movement.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
The new songs on Live at Carnegie Hall are some of Winter’s very finest.

— Walden Green, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of fine

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“Adequate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adequate. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of adequate

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