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 Following public health guidelines should be sufficient for most, but Ouzounian said that those who aren’t close to delivery and can’t maintain adequate air quality at home may want to consider temporary relocation. Jackie Snow, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025 This may involve techniques like prioritizing sufficient sleep, ensuring a healthy breakfast, exercising, and meditation. Mark Gurarie, Health, 10 Jan. 2025 If protection against the scent of sweat is sufficient, a deodorant is a good choice. Katharina Fuchs, Vogue, 2 Jan. 2025 Without sufficient fiscal and regulatory support, companies may hesitate to invest in green technologies, which could delay the transition and limit its overall effectiveness. Umberto Cavallaro, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for sufficient 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sufficient
Adjective
  • The phased timeline aims to give manufacturers adequate time to identify and transition to alternative coloring agents.
    Jesus Mesa, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Yet even among artists who have adequate estate planning with legal counsel, Schwartzman has noticed that the many other facets of estate stewardship are rarely breached during an artist’s lifetime.
    Maddie Klett, ARTnews.com, 14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • But there are a handful of fitness tests that are possible to complete on your own (at home or the gym), which offer a reasonable proxy for VO₂ max, say Angadi and Stoner.
    Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 16 Jan. 2025
  • The authors focused on identifying characters with sufficient screen time to learn enough about their childhoods to make a reasonable assessment based on the questionnaire.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Why would Schoen need to throw a Hail Mary when three wins is acceptable in New York?
    Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2025
  • He’s been as big a plus on defense as expected, and offensively, he’s delivered more than two assists for every turnover and hit an acceptable 35.6 percent from 3.
    Eric Koreen, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • This side hustle is beneficial in so many ways, not only in benefiting the organization if your pick is selected, but in reducing unemployment, which is such a satisfactory feeling.
    Rachel Wells, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
  • The facility received satisfactory marks during its annual audit, according to the sheriff’s office.
    Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • However, his ability at the plate makes his poor defense tolerable.
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Carter pounced on the opportunity and went far beyond what liberals found tolerable.
    Paul Matzko / Made by History, TIME, 29 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The game also features a non-linear narrative, giving you missions for four distinct factions — not unlike Outlaws —and each one has its own vision for humanity’s future, ultimately deciding on the story’s fate, meaning there’s probably a decent chance there’s plenty of replayability.
    Matt Gardner, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Housing is impacting everyone, even those who are making a decent wage.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 18 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near sufficient

Cite this Entry

“Sufficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sufficient. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sufficient

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