sufficient

Definition of sufficientnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective sufficient contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sufficient are adequate, competent, and enough. While all these words mean "being what is necessary or desirable," sufficient suggests a close meeting of a need.

sufficient savings

When might adequate be a better fit than sufficient?

The synonyms adequate and sufficient are sometimes interchangeable, but adequate may imply barely meeting a requirement.

the service was adequate

Where would competent be a reasonable alternative to sufficient?

Although the words competent and sufficient have much in common, 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?

Enough is less exact in suggestion than sufficient.

do you have enough food?

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 sufficient But the office has leeway on when to certify it as sufficient to be placed on the ballot. Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2026 Conventional missile defenses can be expensive and limited in ammunition, while laser systems can continue operating as long as the ship has sufficient electrical power. Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026 The suit seeks compensatory damages in excess of $25,000, punitive damages sufficient to deter future similar conduct and attorney’s fees. Julie Carr Smyth, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026 Newsom said that 98% of departments have sufficient space for employees to work from government offices four days a week. William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for sufficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sufficient
Adjective
  • After about a year, the trees normally have sent out adequate roots to exist with seasonal rainfall or watering of nearby lawns and shrubs.
    Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2026
  • The full closure is required to safely accommodate heavy equipment operations, provide adequate workspace for crews, and protect motorists.
    Irene Wright, USA Today, 9 May 2026
Adjective
  • The ten-course meal costs a hundred and forty dollars per person, which is not exactly sofa-cushion change but does feel reasonable given that such high-flying pastry is normally available only at the end of ultra-ritzy meals of considerably higher expense.
    Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 10 May 2026
  • Finding the perfect venue to have a ring, a backstage area, paying fees and setting a reasonable ticket price are all things that have to be considered.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
Adjective
  • The ruling also points to the wide range of conversion therapy practices that exist and the belief that some approaches might be more acceptable–or less harmful–than others.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 May 2026
  • Any strategic initiative must be complementary and additive to our core audience, must fit within an acceptable leverage parameter, and create clear and identifiable value for our shareholders.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 May 2026
Adjective
  • Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier subpoenaed the NFL on Wednesday after the league failed to provide a satisfactory response to the Republican official’s concerns about diversity hiring practices.
    David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 13 May 2026
  • And the Anza-Borrego Foundation that opposes the power line going through any portion of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park told the Union-Tribune that undergrounding the line within the park is not a satisfactory solution.
    Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
Adjective
  • There's not much that makes plane travel tolerable these days.
    Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 May 2026
  • The tolerable upper intake level (UL) for magnesium from supplements and medications is 350 milligrams (mg) per day for adults.
    Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 7 May 2026
Adjective
  • England, in theory, have players who can offer a decent facsimile of this (Elliot Anderson and Ezri Konsa, in particular), but Tuchel seems inclined to build his England squad around striker and captain Harry Kane over anyone else.
    The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 13 May 2026
  • Madrid has failed to win a single major honor since Mbappé arrived at the club, and despite having a decent season based on statistics, there are calls from some Madrid fans to sell their star man.
    Ben Church, CNN Money, 13 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sufficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sufficient. Accessed 16 May. 2026.

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