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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 Situated on a spacious 8,050-square-foot lot, the property offers ample outdoor space. Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2025 All were praised for easy-to-access anchors and ample legroom. Sarah Scott, Parents, 6 Aug. 2025 With a system in place to ensure ample eyes on the water, duties can range from rescues and warnings to down-time spent exercising, learning and training. Madison Beveridge, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025 Generally speaking, there's a good range, ample bass and no distortion that wasn't meant to be there. New Atlas, 2 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ample
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ample
Adjective
  • This one fared better than most: It was gated, close to shops and restaurants, and spacious enough to keep up with the antics of the couple’s toddler twin boys.
    Vaishnavi Nayel Talawadekar, Architectural Digest, 15 Aug. 2025
  • This single-story house offers a spacious layout with four bedrooms and two baths.
    Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Activities are plentiful here including a stunning golf course.
    Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Hotels and condominium resorts are plentiful in Puerto Peñasco's tourist areas such as Sandy Beach, Playa Bonita and Playa Hermosa.
    Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Lopez’s visit to Turkey’s largest city coincided with her Aug. 5 performance at Yenikapi Festival Park during the Istanbul Festival.
    Daniel S. Levine, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • So the large gap in media market size — San Diego’s 30th in the country, Phoenix is 12th — doesn’t seem very relevant in this rivalry.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • In the most generous sense, that is what Palantir’s data analytics tools do: Allow users — mostly military and government agencies, but also private-sector companies — to better visualize large datasets.
    Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Since the jar is so generous, Dr. Yadav recommends extending your application from the neck down, as perimenopausal skin isn’t exclusive to the face.
    Lisa DeSantis, Glamour, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The England international, who is capable of playing at No 10 or wide, has made 167 appearances and scored 40 goals for the south London club.
    David Ornstein, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Born on October 14, 1946, in New York City, Sloan built an impressive resume with early assignments as a writer and producer on a wide range of TV dramas.
    Marc Berman, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ample.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ample. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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