Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective copious differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of copious are abundant, ample, and plentiful. While all these words mean "more than sufficient without being excessive," copious stresses largeness of supply rather than fullness or richness.

copious examples of bureaucratic waste

How do abundant and plentiful relate to one another, in the sense of copious?

Abundant suggests an even greater or richer supply than does plentiful.

streams abundant with fish

When can ample be used instead of copious?

While in some cases nearly identical to copious, ample implies a generous sufficiency to satisfy a particular requirement.

ample food to last the winter

When is plentiful a more appropriate choice than copious?

The words plentiful and copious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, plentiful implies a great or rich supply.

peaches are plentiful this summer

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 copious But her seaside forays call for much more than resort chic casual wear and copious amounts of SPF. Noor Lobad, WWD, 18 Oct. 2024 The competition’s goal is to distill the copious amounts of data collected from every player during every NFL game into stats and insights that the league and its teams can learn from. Nicolas Vega, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2024 With a blush-bronzer duo, makeup enthusiasts can skip the extra steps of applying copious amounts of base layers contour, powders, eyeshadow, and even lip product in the case of Rhode’s Toased Teddy. Tanya Akim, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024 Doe is the second former staffer to raise concern about West’s alleged nitrous oxide use, after his former chief of staff Milo Yiannopoulos claimed that celebrity dentist Thomas P. Connelly was hooking West up with copious amounts of laughing gas for recreational use. Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for copious 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for copious
Adjective
  • Target shoppers have the opportunity to snag deals on everyday essentials to more lavish gifts.
    Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
  • The video, which showcases the creator's Cavalier King Charles spaniel taking pride of place at a lavish dinner spread, resplendent in a glittery crown, has been viewed more than 6.5 million times.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Collaborations featuring the late artist’s work are abundant and increasing in number, from candles to footwear.
    Andrea Bossi, Essence, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Streaming platforms that prioritize a seamless, viewer-centric experience can foster loyalty in an industry where options are abundant and viewer expectations are high.
    Brent Gleeson, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Those just visiting Charlottetown will enjoy wandering around a charming, mostly flat town with ample restaurants, bookshops and other attractions.
    Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
  • Read more Sara Coughlin is a writer and editor with ample experience covering health and wellness trends.
    Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • So do lower speed limits, plentiful speed cameras, and consistent enforcement.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 13 Nov. 2024
  • Blood is a plentiful source of protein-building amino acids, but those typically only account for around 10% of the fuel used by mammals during exercise.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Clutter bombards our minds with excessive stimuli, causing our senses to work overtime on what is not necessary or important.
    Shira Gill, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Avoid excessive iron supplementation: Taking iron supplements can lead to iron overload for people without an iron deficiency.
    Lindsay Curtis, Health, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Dodgers officials, however, have been profuse in their praise of Betts since the start of the season.
    Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2024
  • Snow Cone is unlike others, smothered in small but profuse white blooms.
    Adrian Higgins, Washington Post, 27 May 2021
Adjective
  • For Virginian Heather Bien, that meant capturing her vacation rental’s bountiful rose bushes and its perch above the river below.
    Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2024
  • Netflix is serving up a bountiful cornucopia of offerings just in time for Thanksgiving season.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The riotous colors of fall don't come all at once: Trees' leaves change unevenly, depending on their species.
    Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 20 Sep. 2024
  • The gallery is part of the fun, too, decked out in a riotous, tessellating wallpaper of musical homages and studded with golden geometric structures.
    Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 22 Oct. 2024

Podcast

Thesaurus Entries Near copious

Cite this Entry

“Copious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copious. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on copious

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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