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Question
What's the difference between words like superb, outstanding, and terrific?
—
Reza
,
Iran
Answer
Superb, outstanding, and terrific are synonyms for very good. And there are many otherwords in English that can have the same meaning. All ten words belowcan be used to mean very good or excellent.
- awesome
- amazing
- fabulous
- fantastic
- excellent
- great
- incredible
- outstanding
- superb
- terrific
These wordscan be used insimilar ways. For example, any of the words abovecanbe used in sentences like these:
You’ve done an awesome job!
Her latest work is fantastic.
However, there are also differences in their use. Here are some usage patterns to be aware of:
- Great has the lowest intensity or strength. However, if it is spoken with enthusiastic intonation, it will have added intensity.
- Awesome is the most informal, and younger people are most likely to use it.
- Older adults are more likely than younger people to use outstanding, superb, and terrific.
- As an exclamation, speakers are most likely to use amazing, fantastic, or great as in, “That’s amazing!”
- Great can be used sarcastically, as in this dialogue:
A: I can’t find the tickets.
B: Oh great, now what are we going to do? - Terrific, amazing, and incredibleare notalways used to describe something that is good. They are occasionally used to describe something that is very bad or hard to believe, asin these examples:
- We were hit by a terrific snowstorm last week. (terrific=terrible)
- He showed an amazing lack of concern for others. (amazing=unbelievable)
- It's incredible to me that such a lazy person could be so successful. (incredible=unbelievable)
I hope this helps to answer your question.
You can read more articles in the archive.
FAQs
Some common synonyms of sufficient are adequate, competent, and enough.
What is another word for enough or sufficient? ›
Some common synonyms of sufficient are adequate, competent, and enough.
What is a fancy word for good enough? ›
The words satisfactory, fair, and average can refer to things that are as good as you expect them to be, but no more. All three words are also used in academic writing to rate or comment on a student's work.
What is a synonym for enough and plenty? ›
abundant, adequate, ample, full, sufficient, suitable.
What is a formal way of saying sure enough? ›
What is another word for sure-enough?
| real | true |
|---|
| bona fide | de facto |
| veritable | valid |
| legitimate | for real |
| accurate | unquestionable |
228 more rowsSynonyms of enough
- sufficiently.
- adequately.
- properly.
- fairly.
- moderately.
- satisfactorily.
- suitably.
- decently.
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.
What is a word for good enough answer? ›
The list of another word for good enough are: Acceptable, adequate,fit, satisfactory,presentable, accurate,etc.
What is a synonym for "more than enough"? ›
Some common synonyms of plentiful are abundant, ample, and copious. While all these words mean "more than sufficient without being excessive," plentiful implies a great or rich supply.
What is another word for enough is enough? ›
Enough is enough means no more will be tolerated. Another way to say this is I am fed up , I am sick of this , I am tired , I had enough now , stop this .
good enough
- PRESENTABLE. Synonyms. presentable. passable. respectable. not bad. suitable. decent. unobjectionable. so-so. tolerable. ...
- SATISFACTORY. Synonyms. satisfactory. competent. adequate. suitable. sufficient. all right. acceptable. passable. up to standard. ...
- FIT. Synonyms. sufficiently virtuous. fit. worthy. deserving. suitable. acceptable.
synonyms: certainly, for certain, for sure, sure, sure as shooting, surely.
What is a synonym for the word abundant enough? ›
Strongest matches. ample, bountiful, copious, generous, heavy, rich, sufficient.
What is a synonym for good enough? ›
What is another word for good enough?
| adequate | satisfactory |
|---|
| presentable | all right |
| acceptable | OK |
| fair | decent |
| tolerable | reasonable |
208 more rowsSho' Nuff is a slang expression meaning "sure enough", as expressed in African American Vernacular English. It was widely used in blues music, sometimes as an interjection.
What is a word better than "sufficient"? ›
Definition for sufficient. adjective as in enough, adequate. Synonyms Antonyms. Strongest matches. acceptable, ample, plentiful, satisfactory, tolerable.
What is the meaning of sufficient and enough? ›
sufficient, enough, adequate, competent mean being what is necessary or desirable. sufficient suggests a close meeting of a need. sufficient savings. enough is less exact in suggestion than sufficient.
