Synonyms for adequate
- adjective
Synonyms by meaning
Adjective
1. Sufficient
sufficient, competent, tolerable, suitable, acceptable, not bad, all right, passable, fair to meddling, fit, commensurate
Other
satisfactory, equal, proportionate, plentiful, just, fitting, up to, correspondent, nondeficient
Definitions
- adj. 1
Equal to or fulfilling some requirement.
powers adequate to a great work
Choose the right word
Adequate, commensurate, and sufficient signify equal to some given occasion or work; as, a sum sufficient to meet expenses; an adequate remedy for the disease. A clergyman may have strength adequate to the work of a porter; but that would not be a fit or suitable occupation for him.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- suitable This programme is not suitable for your age group.
- sufficient The pension is not sufficient for living expenses.
- competent Could you find me a couple of competent mechanics?
- tolerable All sorrows should be tolerable, even if they are great.
- effective Daily exercise is effective in overcoming obesity.
- capable He is capable of teaching both English and French.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| adequate | falling | |
| suitable | falling | |
| sufficient | falling | |
| competent | falling | |
| tolerable | falling | |
| effective | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 3 letters
- fit1
- 4 letters
- just1, able2
- 5 letters
- equal2
- 6 letters
- fitted2
- 7 letters
- capable3, fitting2
- 8 letters
- suitable3, passable3
- 9 letters
- effective3, qualified3, competent3, plentiful3, tolerable4
- 10 letters
- sufficient3, acceptable4
- 11 letters
- efficacious4
- 12 letters
- satisfactory4, commensurate4, nondeficient
- 13 letters
- correspondent4, proportionate4
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (able2 = 2 syllables).