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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

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 adequate Such information can be critical for getting adequate payouts. Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 23 Jan. 2025 Planting during winter can put too much stress on evergreen plants that are trying to establish roots while also providing adequate water to leaves. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 23 Jan. 2025 The phased timeline aims to give manufacturers adequate time to identify and transition to alternative coloring agents. Jesus Mesa, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025 Join 192 others in the comments View Comments Limiting restroom access comes at a time when many US cities and suburbs lack adequate public access to them. Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for adequate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adequate
Adjective
  • Many people who celebrated (or joked about the murder) had been hurt by callus policies that made CEOs richer while their family members could not access decent health care.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
  • Fans should have a decent idea about what the WrestleMania 41 main events will look like by spring.
    Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • But the federal investigation was not satisfactory to many of King’s family members and associates, who knew of the FBI’s years-long investigation of the minister, and Director J. Edgar Hoover’s obsession with him as a potential communist influence.
    Andy Rose, CNN, 25 Jan. 2025
  • By applying enough pressure now, the thinking goes, Ukraine and its backers can enter talks from a favorable position, and Russian President Vladimir Putin will be forced to engage in good-faith negotiations that end in a satisfactory settlement.
    Alexandra Prokopenko, Foreign Affairs, 21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The hotel whose setting and décor is the next best thing to visiting Austria is also full of the real family’s history.
    Ulrike Lemmin-Woolfrey, contributor, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2025
  • The results of new research about respect in the workplace should be of concern to business leaders who want to do their best to retain workers.
    Edward Segal, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • In both periods, the metro's fine particle levels ranked in the middle of the pack for U.S. cities.
    Carly Mallenbaum, Axios, 28 Jan. 2025
  • Bones and teeth are then ground into a fine, ivory powder and returned to the deceased’s family — much like the remains from cremation, without the ashen hue.
    Collin Blinder, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The long-term fix The only truly permanent solutions to keep TikTok online appear to be: 1) pass a new law reversing the old one — no easy task, considering that the existing bill had such broad bipartisan support in Congress — or 2) force a sale to an acceptable buyer.
    Clare Duffy, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025
  • An open question is what level of mortgage rates will be acceptable or affordable for buyers on the sidelines.
    Austin Denean, Baltimore Sun, 17 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near adequate

Cite this Entry

“Adequate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adequate. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

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