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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ample differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ample are abundant, copious, and plentiful. While all these words mean "more than sufficient without being excessive," ample implies a generous sufficiency to satisfy a particular requirement.

ample food to last the winter

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

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

streams abundant with fish

When would copious be a good substitute for ample?

The meanings of copious and ample largely overlap; however, copious stresses largeness of supply rather than fullness or richness.

copious examples of bureaucratic waste

When is it sensible to use plentiful instead of ample?

In some situations, the words plentiful and ample are roughly equivalent. However, plentiful implies a great or rich supply.

peaches are plentiful this summer

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 ample There were three fireplaces in total with ample fireside seating, two bathrooms, each with a soaking tub and a walk-in shower, and a chic living space with a desk that allows for dining and lounging. Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 22 Feb. 2025 This half-circle table fits flush against the wall while offering ample storage space on the top and bottom shelves as well as the front drawer. Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 21 Feb. 2025 Still, that gives the Padres a pretty ample starting rotation of Yu Darvish, Dylan Cease, King and Pivetta. Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 21 Feb. 2025 The Capital One Lounge at LAS offers ample seating. Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ample
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ample
Adjective
  • This spacious comedy club is showcasing this year's Academy Awards and offering happy hour all evening.
    Nadia Lopez, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Tall double doors open into an entry foyer, which flows to a spacious living room warmed by a wood-burning fireplace.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The cotton fields, which once were plentiful in the area around the ballpark, have been replaced by large distribution centers, including an Amazon facility a mile or so from Goodyear Ballpark.
    C. Trent Rosecrans, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Squirrels are plentiful when the sun’s out, while rats are a more common sight after dusk.
    Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The homeownership gap between the two groups has seen a slight uptick since 2022, when there was only a 2.71 million difference, and the gender gap was the largest in Delaware and Connecticut, at 5.23 and 5.06 percentage points, LendingTree found.
    Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 22 Feb. 2025
  • The release of over 600 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel — the largest one-day prisoner release in the ceasefire’s first phase — did not occur just after the hostage releases as expected, apparently for Israeli security consultations on Saturday evening.
    WAFAA SHURAFA, TIME, 22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The benefits of shopping for Shark tools at Nordstrom include a generous return policy and access to steep discounts during the retailer’s Anniversary Sale.
    Claire Sullivan, WWD, 21 Feb. 2025
  • News Of The Week Forbes released its annual list of America’s most generous philanthropists this month, and the lifetime giving of the nation’s top 25 philanthropists through December 30, 2024 rose to $241 billion–$30 billion more than last year’s total.
    Maggie McGrath, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Despite support among Senate Republicans for a two-bill approach, House Republicans have argued that passing two pieces of legislation carries a wider margin for error, given the narrow GOP majority in the lower chamber.
    Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2025
  • The total broadcast revenues of those leagues trail the NWSL by a wide margin.
    Dan Bernstein, Variety, 18 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ample.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ample. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

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