enough 1 of 3

adverb

Definition of enoughnext
1
as in sufficiently
in or to a degree or quantity that meets one's requirements or satisfaction the elevator is big enough to hold everyone

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pretty
to some degree or extent I can play the piano well enough, but I have no hope for a musical career

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in quite
to a full extent or degree I think we're prepared enough—we just lack the will to actually do it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

enough

2 of 3

adjective

as in sufficient

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

enough

3 of 3

noun

as in sufficiency

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective enough contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of enough are adequate, competent, and sufficient. While all these words mean "being what is necessary or desirable," enough is less exact in suggestion than sufficient.

do you have enough food?

When would adequate be a good substitute for enough?

Although the words adequate and enough have much in common, adequate may imply barely meeting a requirement.

the service was adequate

When is it sensible to use competent instead of enough?

The words competent and enough can be used in similar contexts, but 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

When is sufficient a more appropriate choice than enough?

The synonyms sufficient and enough are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 enough
Adverb
Key to My Heart Embossed Manhattan Mini Tote $248 $148 at Amazon This adorable mini tote is just big enough to fit your phone, a slim wallet, and a few small essentials like your go-to lipstick or favorite sunglasses. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2025 Chicago Tribune His players don’t look at him as a guy old enough to be their grandfather. —Paul Newberry, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
The Supreme Court didn't rule on whether the government's evidence was enough to justify the deportations. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025 Anyway, the White House’s apparent openness to some tariff flexibility was enough to shift the mood — for a while, anyway — on Wall Street, which, after three straight trading days of losses, was ready to go bargain shopping. —Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for enough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enough
  1. pretty
  2. quite
  3. sufficient
  4. sufficiency
  5. adequately
  6. relatively
  7. fully
  8. adequate
Adverb
  • Senior forward Mariel Lopez is pretty philosophical about her game for East Aurora.
    — Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025
  • This pan is pretty middle of the pack performance-wise.
    — Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of pretty
Adverb
  • There are few experiences that encapsulate the magic of New York City quite like seeing a Broadway show.
    — Judy Koutsky, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Watching those performers on the day, that scene was really quite difficult.
    — Hunter Ingram, Variety, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of quite
Adjective
  • His bill lacks sufficient public support from GOP colleagues for now, but the private frustrations among lawmakers are starting to pile up.
    — Philip Elliott, Time, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Its people also lack sufficient access to electricity, communications, healthcare, and education and are vulnerable to crimes, including human and drug trafficking.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of sufficient
Noun
  • Done right, the concept naturally corresponds with the principle of reasonable sufficiency.
    — Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2015
  • The explicit goals of the long term financial plan are revenue sufficiency and rate calculation.
    — Graham P. Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Definition of sufficiency
Adverb
  • Consider setting up a project management office to allow for each to be adequately addressed.
    — Jeff Schmitz, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The second would drop the biggest war Europe has seen in 80 years squarely in the lap of European powers that may or may not have the capacity to manage the issue adequately.
    — Daniel DePetris, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of adequately
Adverb
  • But if Trump lowers them through negotiations relatively quickly, the worst-case scenario can be avoided.
    — Time, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Vietnam has emerged as a manufacturing hub for many companies that sell goods in the U.S., including multinational consumer goods retailers such as Nike, Adidas, Uniqlo and Apple Inc, because of a blend of relatively cheap labor costs and supportive government policies.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of relatively
Adverb
  • Using glass can improve wireless signal strength compared to fully metal bodies, too.
    — Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Unlike a total solar eclipse, where the moon fully covers the sun, the moon will only cover a portion of the sun during a partial solar eclipse.
    — Athena Sobhan, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of fully
Adjective
  • Production values are adequate, apart from the occasional iffy digital effect.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Concerns have been raised about DOGE operatives, many with ties to Musk's companies, gaining access to sensitive government data without adequate oversight or experience.
    — Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of adequate

Browse Nearby Words

enormousness
enough
enounce
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Cite this Entry

“Enough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enough. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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