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 That’s sufficient for about 50 miles (80 km) of emission-free motoring between charges, more than enough for most people’s daily driving needs. Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 28 May 2026 Their calculations confirmed that global spodumene reserves are sufficient to support 100 terawatt-hours of battery production, and that the volume of the resulting co-products aligns perfectly with existing global commodity markets. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026 Breakfast, served in the same space, is another Ducasse production and considerably above what most hotels consider sufficient. Jamie Timson, TheWeek, 27 May 2026 Marketing provides businesses with tools to build sufficient demand for products and services. Ezgi Eyüboğlu, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for sufficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sufficient
Adjective
  • During that time, certain areas of the garage may be closed temporarily, but officials say adequate parking will remain available throughout the duration of the project.
    Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 30 May 2026
  • When machines surpass human capability, humanity’s only adequate response is a collective one.
    Shlomit Wagman, Fortune, 30 May 2026
Adjective
  • Those deductible expenses generally include reasonable costs of moving household goods and personal effects, plus travel and lodging for the move, but not meals.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
  • As New York looks forward, however, what are reasonable power expectations for Lindor, Bichette and Polanco, and for Marcus Semien, whose home run totals have dropped from 29 to 23 to 15 to a pace for 12 this year?
    Tim Britton, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Adjective
  • Trump has previously said that a suspension of uranium enrichment for 20 years would be acceptable.
    Tim Lister, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
  • This involved iterative global surveys and consensus workshops to identify key principles, acceptable terminology and ways to implement changes that are feasible and easily communicated.
    Melanie Cree, The Conversation, 29 May 2026
Adjective
  • At this price point, the panel is satisfactory.
    Ben Sin, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
  • And it’s been met with satisfactory approval.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 17 May 2026
Adjective
  • Moving in the direction of your new career may make your old career more tolerable.
    Caroline Ceniza-Levine, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
  • Weaning Orson off the tincture drops will go a long way toward making that character more tolerable.
    Scott Tobias, Vulture, 24 May 2026
Adjective
  • Give it a really decent mix and that's fine.
    Emily Elias, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 June 2026
  • Teams are obviously attracted to the combination of size, body, work ethic, leadership, poise, shot and decent skill.
    Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 3 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sufficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sufficient. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on sufficient

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster