Synonyms of sufficient

sufficient

adjective

as in adequate

Related Words

• adequate
• reasonable
• acceptable
• satisfactory
• tolerable
• decent
• all right
• sufficing
• OK
• ordinary
• medium
• common
• passable
• indifferent
• fair
• moderate
• middling
• mediocre
• modest
• alright
• second-class
• minimal
• run-of-the-mine
• so-so
• presentable
• respectable
• second-rate
• run-of-the-mill
• nice
• unexceptional
• fine
• good

Dissimilar Words

• maximum
• excellent
• special
• optimal
• great
• optimum
• outstanding
• superior
• distinguished
• prime
• exceptional
• superb
• supreme
• splendid
• terrific
• top
• first-class
• marvelous
• choice
• exquisite
• stellar
• superlative
• fantastic
• grand
• capital
• sterling
• classic
• swell
• par excellence
• fabulous
• peerless
• sensational
• number one
• nifty
• A1
• insufficient
• preeminent
• unparalleled
• first-rate
• matchless
• inadequate
• unsurpassed
• unmatched
• top-notch
• lacking
• tip-top
• deficient
• unsatisfactory
• wanting
• unacceptable

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

Recent Examples of sufficient

Mamdani and the Council should instead work together on the long-term and lasting solutions to the housing crisis, which boil down to mostly putting new or existing housing stock back online in sufficient numbers to drive exorbitant housing costs down. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026

An independent panel, commissioned by the FAA in 2024, found that combining positions can be a sign staffing is not sufficient to safely manage demand, particularly during busy periods. —Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026

Patterson recommends eating a sufficient amount of protein and ensuring your diet provides adequate iron and other essential nutrients, such as B vitamins and zinc. —Nicole Hernandez, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026

These companies typically are too small to finance a legal battle but big enough to have sufficient money at stake for Wall Street to take interest. —Alison Graham Larson, The Conversation, 26 Mar. 2026