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 Investigators will examine who approved its location, timing and format, and whether adequate precautions were taken, Kravchenko said. — Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026 Yet American troops are getting killed in their barracks by cheap Iranian missiles and drones, and their leaders haven’t thought through adequate countermeasures. — Andrew Exum, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026 The court's order requires the facility to provide basic necessities like clean water, adequate food, and proper medical care. — Mckenna Mobley, USA Today, 22 July 2026 The best temperature setting is the one that provides adequate cooling at costs the household can sustain. — Destenie Nock, The Conversation, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for adequate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for adequate

Adjective

But at a time when the physical element of football is at risk of overpowering the technical side, a decent fix is playing matches in conditions where relentless sprinting simply isn’t possible.

— Michael Cox, New York Times, 22 July 2026
But Nickel had a solid spring, flashing a strong arm, decent accuracy and an ability to throw deftly on the run.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026

Definition of decent

Adjective

Even a successful ground invasion would not guarantee a satisfactory outcome unless political leaders had a credible plan for the post-invasion governance and order.

— David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
IQAir expects the air quality index (AQI) to improve throughout the day Monday, even reaching the green level that is considered satisfactory.

— Mike Stunson, USA Today, 20 July 2026

Definition of satisfactory

Adjective

Norway enjoyed their best World Cup ever, reaching the quarter-finals and beating Brazil along the way, and Haaland was at the centre of their success.

— Tim Spiers, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Apart from Luke, the crew has a good-ish day welcoming Suzanne, Amy, and the bachelors onboard.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 July 2026

Definition of good

Adjective

In the 1990s, Tom Ford, during his tenure at Gucci, made the buttocks the center of attention with the help of a visibly flashing thong, while the Y2K trends of the ’00s targeted the midsection and declared crop tops socially acceptable.

— Kelly Niesen, Glamour, 24 July 2026
Teen takeovers showcase teens’ extraordinary abilities to identify collective problems and to enact creative solutions – whether or not these solutions are acceptable to adults in power.

— Krista Mehari, The Conversation, 23 July 2026

Definition of acceptable

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“Adequate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adequate. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of adequate

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