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 The lack of adequate reskilling and upskilling programs for this demographic is a glaring shortfall. —

Gary A. Officer, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024 The Fed’s stress test is an annual ritual that forces banks to maintain adequate cushions for bad loans and dictates the size of share repurchases and dividends. —

Sara Eisen, CNBC, 24 Dec. 2024 The path forward is clear: unified efforts where social, urban, and climate goals intersect on a foundation of local action under the roof of adequate housing. —

Anacláudia Rossbach, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024 Human Oversight The principle of human oversight mandates adequate human supervision throughout an AI system's lifecycle. —

Mithun A. Sridharan, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for adequate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for adequate

Adjective

But this would be a practical and necessary change — to allow a decent time period for transition while also preventing various abuses and inefficiencies.

Guy Ciarrocchi, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Dec. 2024
Barron is a good skater with a decent shot and strong offensive instincts, but his game in his own end has suffered from moments of indecision and a lack of assertiveness in killing plays, leading to extended shifts in the defensive zone.

Arpon Basu, The Athletic, 19 Dec. 2024