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 Employees did not have adequate knowledge of manual ware-washing procedures as well as proper cooling, holding and sanitizer concentration. Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 16 May 2025 Several readers say a fast-growing city like ours needs to be be smarter about development, making sure that things like adequate roads are in place before allowing big new subdivisions. Matt Leclercq, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2025 An amount that will be hard to maintain if there is not an adequate supply of water. Harry Whited, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2025 The administration has requested the court lift its block on deportations in North Texas, claiming adequate notice has been provided. Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for adequate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adequate
Adjective
  • Those who stuck around to watch the game saw a decent debut for the Hopkins native outshone by another former UConn star, Napheesa Collier, who scored 34 to equal the Lynx record for most points in a season opener, per ESPN.
    Jamie Barton, CNN Money, 17 May 2025
  • Tellez is a decent hitter — sort of dangerous but also not dangerous enough to prevent him from being let go each of the past two offseasons.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • The Air Quality Index (AQI), developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), measures air pollution on a scale from 0 to 500: 0-50 (Green): Good—air quality is satisfactory.
    Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
  • In finding the right fit and tailoring these systems, a clear understanding of your business priorities and pain points can go a long way in choosing a satisfactory solution.
    Shiv Kaushik, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The film topped Entertainment Weekly's 2022 list of Tom Cruise-starring projects ranked by grade, and came in just behind Born on the Fourth of July as containing Cruise's all-time best screen performance.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 19 May 2025
  • Instead, eating and preparing them may simply entail extra care and adherence to best food safety practices.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • There have been constant rumors the attacker has been close to signing a new contract at San Siro, but a deal has not yet been agreed and there may well be Champions League clubs interested in him this summer after his fine personal form during the team’s otherwise tumultuous campaign.
    Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 16 May 2025
  • The team first crushes the rocks into fine grains and separates out the zircons using dense liquids and magnetic fields.
    Ella Jeffries, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • If yields spike beyond acceptable levels, the Federal Reserve may be forced to intervene - buying Treasuries to stabilize markets.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • Then, in 2020, the Maryland Department of the Environment further reduced the acceptable level of lead in apartments from 4 to 1 mcgs/sq ft, which can easily be walked into the apartment on shoes.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Adequate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adequate. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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