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Adequate vs Satisfactory - What's the difference?

adequate | satisfactory |

Satisfactory is a synonym of adequate.



As adjectives the difference between adequate and satisfactory

is that adequate is equal to some requirement; proportionate, or correspondent; fully sufficient; as, powers adequate to a great work; an adequate definition lawfully and physically sufficient while satisfactory is done to satisfaction; adequate or sufficient.

As a verb adequate

is to equalize; to make adequate.

adequate

English

Alternative forms

* (archaic)

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Equal to some requirement; proportionate, or correspondent; fully sufficient; as, powers adequate to a great work; an adequate definition lawfully and physically sufficient.
  • * De Quincey
    • Ireland had no adequate champion.
  • * Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventure of the Empty House
    • All day, as I drove upon my round, I turned over the case in my mind and found no explanation which appeared to me to be adequate .

    Antonyms

    * inadequate

    Verb

    (adequat)
  • (obsolete) To equalize; to make adequate.
    • (Fotherby)
  • (obsolete) To equal.
    • It [is] an impossibility for any creature to adequate God in his eternity. — Shelford.

    satisfactory

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Done to satisfaction; adequate or sufficient
    • The satisfactory results of the survey led to his promotion .

    Derived terms

    * satisfactorily * satisfaction * satisfied * unsatisfactory