Adequate and Deficient

Adequate

Adequate adjective - Of a level of quality that meets one's needs or standards.
Usage example: this old computer is probably adequate if you just want to type a term paper

Deficient is an antonym for adequate in passable topic.

Nearby Words: adequately, adequacy, adequation

Deficient

Deficient adjective - Falling short of a standard.
Usage example: woefully deficient eyesight kept him out of military service

Adequate is an antonym for deficient in imperfect topic.

Nearby Words: deficiency, deficit, deficiently
Cite this Source
Deficient and Adequate. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/adequate/deficient
Adequate & Deficient. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/adequate/deficient>.
Deficient or Adequate. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/adequate/deficient.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "adequate" and "deficient" have occurred on timeline