sufficient

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?

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 sufficient Iron deficiency anemia occurs when the body lacks sufficient iron to produce hemoglobin, a vital protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout your body. Lindsay Curtis, Health, 5 Nov. 2024 The Associated Press reported Johnson’s lawyer, Luke Evans, said Johnson was manipulated by others to shoot Young Dolph and requested a new trial, arguing that the evidence was not sufficient for a conviction. Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 4 Nov. 2024 The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) estimated that the country has around 50 nuclear warheads with sufficient fissile material to reach a total of up to 90 warheads. Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024 One binder should be sufficient for most, especially if your plan is to hold onto limited paper and primarily lean on digital recipes. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sufficient 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sufficient
Adjective
  • Ouster's liquidity remains adequate with cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments totaling $153.8 million as of September 30, 2024.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
  • This could present a problem for coverage and access given that in its review of the evidence, an Institute for Clinical and Economic Review panel voted 10-2 that the current evidence is adequate to show a net health benefit when compared to Abilify. MORE FOR YOU Trump Vs.
    Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • So, the authors should consider plug-in hybrids as a reasonable interim step, while chargers move consumers to adapt to all-electric vehicles when more charging alternatives are available.
    Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
  • Its edges are quickly becoming dense suburban communities filled with residents seeking affordable housing and a reasonable commute to work in the state's largest cities.
    Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Take proof of residency — a driver's license, utility bill, bank statement or paycheck are acceptable — to your local clerk's office by 8pm.
    Joe Guillen, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
  • So, with all of the items that are deemed unfit for hot water, what items are acceptable for these temperatures?
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Please note that many of these AI tools offer free plans (which are limited but may be perfectly satisfactory depending on your current needs).
    Rachel Wells, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
  • The expert committee offered some explanations such as a systematic difference between those who did and did not participate in the polls, but ultimately felt none of them was completely satisfactory.
    Karlyn Bowman, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • Here are the pieces of disaster gear that made the last couple of weeks without first-world amenities so much more tolerable.
    Graham Averill, Outside Online, 31 Oct. 2024
  • Best Amazon Comfy Clothes and Shoes Deals Uncomfortable clothes can make an otherwise tolerable flight an unbearable nightmare.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • While its mono sound is decent, the lack of physical playback controls and auxiliary input might be limiting for some users.
    Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024
  • Jazz voters recently flexing their muscles in the generals, with awards for Jon Batiste and Samara Joy, means André could have a decent chance at a second AOTY trophy.
    Justin Curto, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near sufficient

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on sufficient

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