ADEQUATE Synonyms: 150 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

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

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 adequate Absent from the park is an adequate boathouse, so a new rental stand or similar structure would need to be set up for the operation. — Hanna Kang, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2026 Read our complete guides to watching and documenting an eclipse—and remember to never look at the sun without adequate eye protection! — Claire Cameron & Lee Billings, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 2026 However, during times of adequate moisture, trees and other plants start producing leaves in abundance. — Bianca Lambert, Southern Living, 12 Aug. 2026 The debtor made a mistake to incur the liability, the liability was not covered by adequate insurance, and no settlement was achieved in litigation. — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for adequate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for adequate

Adjective

Toure has been decent, too, flashing down the wing and firing in crosses.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Democrats had a decent night in Florida’s nonpartisan elections, led by their wins on the Sarasota County school board.

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of decent

Adjective

By contrast, state inspection records from 2025 and the first weeks of 2026, just days after Calvo took office in January, show the city’s pool facilities were consistently rated satisfactory.

— Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 11 Aug. 2026
For someone who is dogmatic, or has a strong commitment to evangelism, this may not be satisfactory.

— R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of satisfactory

Adjective

Max’s arrival is particularly propitious because Max is still sore from Nathan’s betrayal, so if Max can get on Joe’s good side by respecting his authority, Joe can reward him with the lead position.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 Aug. 2026
The offense has all the pieces to be one of the league’s best.

— Jon Machota, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of good

Adjective

Even though his parents split more than 25 years ago, according to Us Weekly, their living arrangement worked out just fine.

— Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026
Before planting any hibiscus seeds, start by nicking or sanding the seeds using fine-grade sandpaper or the tip of a knife.

— Shelby Vittek, The Spruce, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of fine

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“Adequate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adequate. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of adequate

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