Definition of amplenext
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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 There are also ample ways the neighborhood helps to sustain those who wish to explore it, thanks to a vibrant collection of restaurants, cafes and bakeries. Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026 The national park urges all visitors to plan routes in advance, carry ample supplies, and check weather and road conditions before departing. Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026 The lower level also includes an ample storage area, room for a workshop or hobbies, and two garages. James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026 Signs along the roads entering the rancheria point attendees toward the Big Time festivities, where there is ample parking. Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ample
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ample
Adjective
  • Southern California is known for its mild winters, warm summers and plentiful sunshine.
    Ben Noll, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Restaurants are plentiful here, but focus your appetite on Tong Thai La Farine, the latter of which has French cakes and pastries worth every calorie.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Outside, the spacious balcony and its plush sofa were an open invite for a sunrise coffee, and the trail of wooden steps to the water meant pre-dinner dips in the sea were part of the daily routine.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026
  • One shopper shouted out the spacious front pockets, and another loved their sporty vibe.
    Annie Blackman, InStyle, 25 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The latter section compares God to a generous host, who similarly protects his guests, providing safety and abundance.
    Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Her family said Zawadi had been generous and good-natured, eager to make jokes.
    ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • To study dark energy, Roman will measure how gravity bends light across large cosmic distances — creating a 3D map of dark matter in the process.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
  • In 2022, Cuban founded Cost Plus Drugs, a website created to sell generic medication at a lower price than most large pharmacies.
    Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The Iran war exposed just how much the world relied on a narrow 20-mile-wide waterway.
    Katie Silver, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Not only do the gods have multiple heads and arms, but the gods themselves are multiple, appearing in different forms with an array of different names, and with a wide variety of stories told about them.
    Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ample.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ample. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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