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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ample differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ample are abundant, copious, and plentiful. While all these words mean "more than sufficient without being excessive," ample implies a generous sufficiency to satisfy a particular requirement.

ample food to last the winter

How do abundant and plentiful relate to one another, in the sense of ample?

Abundant suggests an even greater or richer supply than does plentiful.

streams abundant with fish

When would copious be a good substitute for ample?

The meanings of copious and ample largely overlap; however, copious stresses largeness of supply rather than fullness or richness.

copious examples of bureaucratic waste

When is it sensible to use plentiful instead of ample?

In some situations, the words plentiful and ample are roughly equivalent. However, plentiful implies a great or rich supply.

peaches are plentiful this summer

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 ample Shaped like your favorite travel pillow, only larger, Buffy’s Cloud side sleeper pillow offers ample support to aching necks and shoulders. Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2025 That gives the creative team ample freedom to flesh out their vision of Derry, all while paying tribute to the breadth of King's vast oeuvre, which, by virtue of the author's penchant for cross-pollination, lends itself to Easter eggs. Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025 The play takes ample metaphorical advantage of both couch and void. Daniel D'addario, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025 In a Wednesday earnings call, CPKC CEO Keith Creel urged the STB to take ample time to review the application and respond. Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 31 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ample
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ample
Adjective
  • And Yankee Stadium’s spacious left field needs proper tending.
    Drew VonScio, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
  • As its name suggests, the X130 Triplex has a spacious three-deck layout with a bonus sundeck and mezzanine deck.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • As pitchers continue to opt out of their contracts and become free agents, the Mets know their options become more plentiful.
    Drew VonScio, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Homemade knives, called shanks, are plentiful inside the prison, several inmates said.
    Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • In March 2025, Vice President Vance even led a high-profile US delegation to the American military base in Greenland to advocate for annexation, despite polling data indicating that a large majority of Greenlanders have expressed no enthusiasm for an American takeover.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
  • But even when Carr smashes a model boat to smithereens after a professional rejection or Allura imagines herself going full Lemonade on Chase’s sidepiece, their actions feel divorced from any larger context.
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Costanzo said Ferrante was generous and gave him a favorable rights deal to attempt an adaptation.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2025
  • The service was crisp, the portions were highly generous (don’t miss the breakfast buffet).
    Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Young’s early stats would have looked prettier if McMillan was able to haul in a wide open touchdown throw from the third-year QB on the team’s only first-half scoring drive.
    Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 2 Nov. 2025
  • To plant the cutting or purchased plant, choose a pot that’s at least 8 inches deep and about 10 to 12 inches wide to accommodate growth, with plenty of drainage holes to let water escape.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ample.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ample. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.

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