Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective copious differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of copious are abundant, ample, and plentiful. While all these words mean "more than sufficient without being excessive," copious stresses largeness of supply rather than fullness or richness.

copious examples of bureaucratic waste

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

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

streams abundant with fish

When can ample be used instead of copious?

While in some cases nearly identical to copious, ample implies a generous sufficiency to satisfy a particular requirement.

ample food to last the winter

When is plentiful a more appropriate choice than copious?

The words plentiful and copious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 copious My first draft of the illustrations attempted to mimic Gorey’s art, complete with copious amounts of crosshatching and handwritten text. Lisa Brown, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025 Thanks to a thriving energy sector and copious foreign investment, Kazakhstan is the most economically advanced nation in Central Asia. Joe Yogerst, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025 Even knowing what happened during the Olympics and remembering being in my apartment, standing up, pacing like a mad man and talking copious amounts of s– at Serbia and France during the semifinal round and gold medal game, respectively. Zach Harper, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025 Valentine’s Day can pressure people to spend copious amounts of money on items that are usually decently priced. Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 13 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for copious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for copious
Adjective
  • Just west of Back Bay station, visitors can discover an oasis of warmth in the form of the Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, a lavish property that comes equipped with a wealth of amenities designed with wintertime in mind.
    Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Nelson is engaged to a rich Italian businessman on the island of Capri, Italy, and insists that Smothers be by her side for the lavish event.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • By 1800, colonists had brought it in seed mixes from Europe to North America, intent on feeding their livestock familiar European species rather than the abundant native grasses of the new continent.
    Ian Rose, JSTOR Daily, 26 Feb. 2025
  • At an initial glance, those precepts or conditions certainly seem to make abundant sense.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • While that will probably have to be in the form of a major trade, Briere didn’t shoot down a suggestion that the Flyers, now with an ample amount of salary cap space this coming offseason, could wade into free agency.
    Kevin Kurz, The Athletic, 8 Mar. 2025
  • With sturdy construction, ample shelf space, and glass doors, china cabinets are excellent for storing and displaying delicate china sets, trinkets, decorative plates, heirloom decor, and more.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Squirrels are plentiful when the sun’s out, while rats are a more common sight after dusk.
    Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 26 Feb. 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • The day before Tanna Rae died, the U.S. National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning for all of Arizona, coinciding with temperatures rising past 110 degrees.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
  • There lies the problem: the intention to customize is honorable, but the execution—excessive repetition—like the extra spaces in Mail Merge, backfires.
    Jerry Weissman, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The narratively profuse mystery game Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is like living in a Bikini Kill song followed by a Phoebe Bridgers ballad.
    Harold Goldberg, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
  • Dodgers officials, however, have been profuse in their praise of Betts since the start of the season.
    Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2024
Adjective
  • Beyond sensorial gratification, facial steaming's skin-care benefits are actually quite bountiful.
    Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 28 Feb. 2025
  • This week, three Chicago area gardening pros share inspiration and ideas on what to do now in order to reap bountiful returns later.
    Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The riotous dancing is, for the attendees, those lucky few, a salve on life’s burn.
    Dwight Garner, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2025
  • But if season 1 was Fleabag's hilarious, fourth-wall-breaking race to her life's nadir, season 2 brings us her glorious and riotous redemption.
    EW.com, EW.com, 19 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Copious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copious. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

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