COPIOUS Synonyms: 51 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'copious' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of copious are abundant , ample , and plentiful . While all these words mean "more than sufficient without being excessive," copious stresses largeness of supply rather than fullness or richness. // copious examples of bureaucratic waste

Q: How do 'abundant' and 'plentiful' relate to one another, in the sense of 'copious'?

Abundant suggests an even greater or richer supply than does plentiful . // streams abundant with fish

Q: When can 'ample' be used instead of 'copious'?

While in some cases nearly identical to copious , ample implies a generous sufficiency to satisfy a particular requirement. // ample food to last the winter

Q: When is 'plentiful' a more appropriate choice than 'copious'?

The words plentiful and copious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, plentiful implies a great or rich supply. // peaches are plentiful this summer

copious

adjective

ˈkō-pē-əs

Definition of copious

as in lavish

pouring forth in great amounts a copious rush of words just poured out of the two friends who hadn't seen each other in years

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How does the adjective copious differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of copious are abundant, ample, and plentiful. While all these words mean "more than sufficient without being excessive," copious stresses largeness of supply rather than fullness or richness.

copious examples of bureaucratic waste

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

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

streams abundant with fish

When can ample be used instead of copious?

While in some cases nearly identical to copious, ample implies a generous sufficiency to satisfy a particular requirement.

ample food to last the winter

When is plentiful a more appropriate choice than copious?

The words plentiful and copious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 copious The best meals at Hawkers Asian Street Food are enjoyed with friends at a full table with copious plates to share—pork belly baos, roti canai, chili crisp wontons, and chicken dumplings are among the options. — Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 10 Aug. 2026 Despite the copious downpour that led to flooding across many parts of the country in the past few weeks, India still faces the prospect of a deficient monsoon this year. — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026 Horrormeister Eli Roth’s cinematic specialty is serving one flavor — Gross-Out Gore Galore — in copious scoops to an eager horror fan base. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026 This is what happened in the Big Thompson back in 1976, when slow-moving thunderstorms dumped copious amounts of rain over mountainous terrain. — Dave Aguilera, CBS News, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for copious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for copious

Adjective

As a chef at a fine dining restaurant inside a lavish Southern resort, Renee Boughman was surrounded by luxury.

— Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2026
Jenner, known for splashing out on lavish events, turned to colorful rhinestone decor to celebrate the milestone, and even plastered gemstones across plastic cups and one of her two birthday cakes.

— Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of lavish

Adjective

The location provides key advantages, state officials said, including access to abundant natural gas and the ability to launch to a wide range of trajectories.

— Stephen Smith, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Voya says its fuel can be made from low-grade scrap aluminum, giving the system a potential route to turn an abundant waste material into a source of firm electricity.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of abundant

Adjective

Guidance includes carrying ample water and supplies, checking road and weather conditions in advance and taking an alternative means of communication, such as a satellite communicator or emergency beacon.

— Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley have ample firepower, both lines are good, and the defense is top-tier.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of 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

Definition of plentiful

Adjective

Carrying five tight ends is excessive, so there probably won’t be room for Fidone unless Theo Johnson’s shoulder injury is more serious than initially believed.

— Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Interestingly, patient education level or excessive punctuation had little impact.

— Paul Hsieh, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of excessive

Adjective

After bountiful rain in New Jersey, beaches have been under fecal bacteria advisories and at one point two beaches were closed.

— Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
While Angra is one of Brazil’s premier yachting destinations, even those without their own vessel can enjoy the bountiful archipelago.

— Hannah Seligson, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of bountiful

Adjective

At the other end, Robert Sanchez elicits blue murder and the combination is riotous and compelling.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Others are stewed with aromatics and oil to make a riotous take on XO sauce, funky and inky and complex, which gilds the hunks of squash under their corny beurre blanc.

— Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of riotous

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

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