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 Reconomy also suggested that companies work with other entities in their sector to aggregate textile waste to reach volumes that will be sufficient to make recycling economically viable. Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 19 May 2026 Though three runs proved sufficient, Monday wasn’t exactly the breakthrough the offense has been looking for. Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 19 May 2026 The Israeli defense body overseeing humanitarian aid to Gaza claims that sufficient aid is entering Gaza, with around 600 trucks carrying humanitarian aid entering Gaza daily, similar to prewar levels. Suzan Fraser, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026 One weekly cleaning is usually sufficient. Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for sufficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sufficient
Adjective
  • The audit presented to the City Council on Thursday showed the department misreported financial details, lacked adequate records to track its revenue and failed to enforce contracts and collect fees from users of parks facilities.
    Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026
  • Dedicate financial resources No plan will be effective without adequate funding behind it.
    Mindy Lubber, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Adjective
  • Allow reasonable discipline in school.
    Matthew Stolle, Twin Cities, 23 May 2026
  • If reasonable, open windows and turn off air conditioning at night to let cooler air in, then shut the windows and shades in the morning to trap the cool air inside, Trane recommends.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 23 May 2026
Adjective
  • Trump has cited Iran’s nuclear program as a key reason for the attack and previously said that a suspension of uranium enrichment for 20 years would be acceptable.
    Tim Lister, CNN Money, 24 May 2026
  • None of this should be acceptable.
    CBS News, CBS News, 24 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
  • Battery life on the phone overall is decent, but not great.
    Ben Sin, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
  • Its 29 grind settings offered enough range to produce both a decent espresso shot and pot of French press.
    Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sufficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sufficient. Accessed 25 May. 2026.

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