ADEQUATE Synonyms: 151 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'adequate' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of adequate are competent , enough , and sufficient . While all these words mean "being what is necessary or desirable," adequate may imply barely meeting a requirement. // the service was adequate

Q: When could 'competent' be used to replace 'adequate'?

The words competent and adequate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

Q: How are the words 'enough' and 'sufficient' related as synonyms of 'adequate'?

Enough is less exact in suggestion than sufficient . // do you have enough food?

Q: When would 'sufficient' be a good substitute for 'adequate'?

Although the words sufficient and adequate have much in common, sufficient suggests a close meeting of a need. // sufficient savings

adequate

adjective

ˈa-di-kwət

Definition of adequate next

as in decent

of a level of quality that meets one's needs or standards this old computer is probably adequate if you just want to type a term paper

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How does the adjective adequate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of adequate are competent, enough, and sufficient. While all these words mean "being what is necessary or desirable," adequate may imply barely meeting a requirement.

the service was adequate

When could competent be used to replace adequate?

The words competent and adequate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 as synonyms of adequate?

Enough is less exact in suggestion than sufficient.

do you have enough food?

When would sufficient be a good substitute for adequate?

Although the words sufficient and adequate have much in common, sufficient suggests a close meeting of a need.

sufficient savings

Examples 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 adequate Denials, Cancellations, And Non-Renewals In High-Risk Areas Homeowners in wildfire-prone regions often struggle to secure adequate insurance coverage. —

True Tamplin, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025 In the weeks ahead, Queen Sonja's engagement calendar is clear, giving the monarch adequate time to recover. —

Rachel Raposas, People.com, 13 Jan. 2025 The company identified material weaknesses in its internal controls over financial reporting, including a lack of adequate control environment and insufficient internal controls. —

Quartz Bot, Quartz, 13 Jan. 2025 Following public health guidelines should be sufficient for most, but Ouzounian said that those who aren’t close to delivery and can’t maintain adequate air quality at home may want to consider temporary relocation. —

Jackie Snow, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for adequate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for adequate

Adjective

Housing is impacting everyone, even those who are making a decent wage.

Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 18 Jan. 2025
The game also features a non-linear narrative, giving you missions for four distinct factions — not unlike Outlaws —and each one has its own vision for humanity’s future, ultimately deciding on the story’s fate, meaning there’s probably a decent chance there’s plenty of replayability.

Matt Gardner, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025