SUFFICIENT Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: How are the words 'enough' and 'sufficient' related?

Enough is less exact in suggestion than sufficient . // do you have enough food?

sufficient

adjective

Definition of sufficient next

as in adequate

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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