Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective capacious differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of capacious are ample, commodious, and spacious. While all these words mean "larger in extent or capacity than the average," capacious stresses the ability to hold, contain, or retain more than the average.

a capacious suitcase

When could ample be used to replace capacious?

In some situations, the words ample and capacious are roughly equivalent. However, ample implies having a greater size, expanse, or amount than that deemed adequate.

ample closet space

When is it sensible to use commodious instead of capacious?

The meanings of commodious and capacious largely overlap; however, commodious stresses roominess and comfortableness.

a commodious and airy penthouse apartment

When is spacious a more appropriate choice than capacious?

The synonyms spacious and capacious are sometimes interchangeable, but spacious implies great length and breadth.

a spacious front lawn

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 capacious The only thing larger than Robbie’s ludicrously capacious Le Spiaggia Round Bag by Jacquemus is its $790 price tag, though various other brands like Staud and Soraya Hennessy offer similar oversized totes at various price points. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 10 July 2025 His ten-course tasting menu takes place in a stunning setting, replete with soaring ceilings, arched windows and capacious views of the surrounding hillsides. David Weiss, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025 Both make excellent places to chill out and to entertain out-of-town guests, especially given their capacious cafés and ready-to-eat food and drink. Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 7 July 2025 The political scientist Michael Albertus’s capacious and illuminating Land Power shows that the distribution of land ownership explains a great deal about where wealth and power reside in the world today. Michael Albertus, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for capacious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for capacious
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
  • Suffocate them with an ample deluge of water and stir to ensure complete cooling.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • There is ample space to entertain guests between the conservatory, dining room, and living room.
    Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 22 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Capacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/capacious. Accessed 25 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on capacious

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!