as in adequate
of a level of quality that meets one's needs or standards
told the bike rental man that a ten-speed with four broken gears was not acceptable
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Recent Examples of acceptable
The best time to prune is during spring and summer for optimal recovery; however, a light trim is acceptable any time if the plant is healthy.
—
Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 6 Feb. 2026
Most of the time, a child who is shoving at the playground or refusing to take turns with the blocks at daycare is just testing the boundaries of acceptable behavior.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 5 Feb. 2026
Now, the Transportation Security Administration requires all airport travelers to have an acceptable form of identification to fly.
—Emery Glover, Des Moines Register, 5 Feb. 2026
The belief that swing voters in Texas are too racist and sexist to be compromised with implies that defeat is the only morally acceptable option.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for acceptable
Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 6 Feb. 2026
Most of the time, a child who is shoving at the playground or refusing to take turns with the blocks at daycare is just testing the boundaries of acceptable behavior.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 5 Feb. 2026
Now, the Transportation Security Administration requires all airport travelers to have an acceptable form of identification to fly.
—Emery Glover, Des Moines Register, 5 Feb. 2026
The belief that swing voters in Texas are too racist and sexist to be compromised with implies that defeat is the only morally acceptable option.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for acceptable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acceptable
Adjective
-
Periodically, curb lanes were only partially cleared, and adequate radiuses were mostly ignored.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Unfortunately, neither is adequate.—
David Szondy
February 07,
New Atlas,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Roma wanted a satisfactory replacement signed before letting Tsimikas return.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Yeah … very satisfactory to hear that.—
Natalie Morales,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The Dolphins had a decent, although not necessarily strong 2025 draft class despite the fact all seven draftees got playing time last season, and five made at least one start.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Education isn’t a cure-all; North Korea appears to have decent schools yet is impoverished and totalitarian.—
Nicholas D. Kristof,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Slot bemoaned the fine margins but there have been far too many hard-luck stories.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Chips and dip are fine, but get creative.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, makeup artists think spring breakers will pack their best cushion-y, cloud lips instead of their icy alternatives.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Kansas City figured its best sales pitch centered on its facilities and its location in the heart of America.—
Sam McDowell
Updated February 13,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Does that feel okay, is the salt too rough?—
Jasmin 'Iolani Hakes,
Literary Hub,
5 Feb. 2026
-
My mom, who lives a couple blocks away, and my friends were all okay.—
Erin Austen Abbott,
The Atlantic,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Acceptable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acceptable. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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