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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ample differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ample are abundant, copious, and plentiful. While all these words mean "more than sufficient without being excessive," ample implies a generous sufficiency to satisfy a particular requirement.

ample food to last the winter

How do abundant and plentiful relate to one another, in the sense of ample?

Abundant suggests an even greater or richer supply than does plentiful.

streams abundant with fish

When would copious be a good substitute for ample?

The meanings of copious and ample largely overlap; however, copious stresses largeness of supply rather than fullness or richness.

copious examples of bureaucratic waste

When is it sensible to use plentiful instead of ample?

In some situations, the words plentiful and ample are roughly equivalent. However, plentiful implies a great or rich supply.

peaches are plentiful this summer

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 ample In fact, yeshiva school days are often longer than those in public schools, providing ample time for both. David Bloomfield, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2025 Thankfully, at least, the occupant of the chair gives us ample diversion. Christian Lewis, Variety, 22 Apr. 2025 Whatever the case, Sam Farrar recently plunked down a speck under $3 million for a Studio City pad with an ample 3,582 square feet of two-level living space for all his creative pursuits. Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2025 This seems to work well enough, but details are only sharp around the center of the frame, with ample distortion at the edges. ArsTechnica, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ample
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ample
Adjective
  • It’s been a long time in coming but the airline is finally set to present its spacious, private business class seats and stunning uniforms that proudly express the country’s Māori culture.
    Laurie Werner, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • In the spacious main lobby, an ornate clock dominated the back wall and huge columns surrounded the tellers’ cages.
    Randy Mason, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Color combinations of Masters green — also known as Pantone 342 — and Butter Yellow, the season’s hottest spring shade, have been plentiful.
    Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Apple has long made iPhones in China through contract manufacturer Foxconn due to the country’s cheap, plentiful, and technically skilled labor.
    Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Shahani also believes Nissan’s Infiniti luxury brand can grow with the new QX80 and upcoming QX60 large and midsize SUVs, respectively.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • In the mid-2000s, the fracking revolution took off, making the US the largest oil and natural gas producer in the world.
    Umair Irfan, Vox, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Since then, she’s benefitted from the generous and spot-on counsel of dozens of smart people in government, the media, and in other circles.
    Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The generous battery keeps podcasts alive for a full travel day, and a ten‑minute quick top‑up grants four extra hours before boarding.
    Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Pan stressed the importance of providing customers with a wide range of customization options.
    Lauren Carpenter, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Although, like so many Biblical narratives, the Gospel of Mary was excluded from the canon, scholars contend that the text was in wide circulation among Jesus’ early followers.
    Eliza Griswold, New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ample.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ample. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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