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Definition of enoughnext
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enough

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adjective

enough

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective enough contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of enough are adequate, competent, and sufficient. While all these words mean "being what is necessary or desirable," enough is less exact in suggestion than sufficient.

do you have enough food?

When would adequate be a good substitute for enough?

Although the words adequate and enough have much in common, adequate may imply barely meeting a requirement.

the service was adequate

When is it sensible to use competent instead of enough?

The words competent and enough can be used in similar contexts, but 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

When is sufficient a more appropriate choice than enough?

The synonyms sufficient and enough are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 enough
Adverb
This discrepancy between wish fulfilment and truth-seeking is simple enough to grasp when there’s a binary question, such as whether Odysseus is alive or dead. Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 21 July 2026 Having the Ring devices in place feels like a much smarter and safer solution, and is easy enough to set up for even the most type B travelers to handle. Bridget Mills-Powell, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 July 2026
Adjective
There is enough awareness among voters to appreciate the veteran thespian playing against type as this sage figure who plays a crucial part in the third act. Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 22 July 2026 There are enough balls in the air to dizzy an expert juggler. Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 22 July 2026
Noun
The most important metric is becoming intelligence per dollar, making Zhipu's cheap-but-good-enough model an attractive answer. Deirdre Bosa,jasmine Wu, CNBC, 26 June 2026 In an August 2021 Denton County Commissioner’s Court meeting, Hudspeth challenged the county about not doing enough for the cemetery. Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for enough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enough
Adverb
  • In 1994, however, mathematician Peter Shor demonstrated that a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could solve this problem in just a few hours.
    Aldo Romero, The Conversation, 15 July 2026
  • The judge emphasized that MET failed to sufficiently show how it or rivals were foreclosed from the market.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 July 2026
Adverb
  • Kyril is a hands-on, pretty inspirational owner who has a really clear vision for where this football club is going.
    Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • As far as summer jobs go, helping to maintain the Oakland Cemetery is a pretty cool one, even in this heat.
    Cassidy Alexander, AJC.com, 21 July 2026
Adverb
  • The stakes for new avatar don’t feel quite as high—the specific circumstances around the former was a perfect storm that'll be tough to duplicate—but the music isn’t any less potent for it.
    Lawrence Burney, Pitchfork, 16 July 2026
  • SpaceX tried to launch the Starship megarocket on its 13th test flight today but couldn't quite pull it off.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 16 July 2026
Adjective
  • Company executives have stated that engine deliveries are rising in line with Boeing’s production goals, ensuring sufficient supply as airlines continue expanding their long-haul fleets.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 19 July 2026
  • There are states in which a lack of sufficient workers or the attempt to maintain equal representation can override the party affiliation prerequisite.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026
Noun
  • This freedom includes the expression of health, harmony, sufficiency, and the ability to think and act rightly.
    Rob Nofsinger, Christian Science Monitor, 10 July 2026
  • Owners discovered that a small flock fits neatly into a suburban routine and pays back in eggs, entertainment and a sense of self-sufficiency.
    Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2026
Adverb
  • The legislation has not been adequately revived since that surprising move.
    Cleve Mesidor, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • The division concluded that the medical schools at UC Davis and UCLA racially discriminated against white and Asian applicants and that UCLA failed to adequately respond to complaints of antisemitic harassment of Jewish and Israeli students.
    Ben Wieder, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026
Adverb
  • In what was a relatively uncharacteristic ending for this Spain team – perhaps seeing the finish line so close – the squad allowed Argentina a few last chances, two of which couldn’t have been closer in the final eight minutes or so of the match.
    Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • Scripps researchers looked at the possibility of using this geoengineering over a shorter term in a relatively regional application that shortens the timeline and reduces the bureaucratic complexity of implementing it.
    Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026
Adverb
  • The man behind the wheel overrode driver-assistance features and fully pressed the car’s accelerator, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.
    Faiz Siddiqui, Washington Post, 17 July 2026
  • However, they are not banded, so their activity will not be fully tracked.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 16 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Enough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enough. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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