acceptable

[ak-sep-tuh-buhl] / ækˈsɛp tə bəl /

ADJECTIVE

satisfactory, agreeable

Synonyms

STRONGEST

adequate common decent fair respectable sufficient tolerable

WEAK

A-OK admissible all right average big cooking with gas cool copacetic delightful hep hip hunky-dory in the swim kosher large okay on the ball on the beam passable peachy keen pleasant pleasing right on standard swell trendy unexceptional unobjectionable up to code up to snuff welcome

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bad inadequate insufficient intolerable poor unrespectable unsuitable

WEAK

disagreeable disturbing unacceptable unsatisfactory unwelcome

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Once a justification is out there and starts to feel acceptable, it lowers the bar for everyone else.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

He added other measures had been introduced such as clear expectations of acceptable behaviours, an independent Freedom to Speak Up service and that the trust continually reviews how it supports staff well-being.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

This is becoming the standard position: A.I. for everything upstream of prose is acceptable; A.I. for the prose itself is a betrayal.

From Slate • Apr. 17, 2026

“I have to ask, how is that acceptable? How is one teacher supposed to meet the needs of 25 students?”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

It's hard to love a place that's outlawed smoking but finds it perfectly acceptable to serve raw fish in a bath of chocolate.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris

Vocabulary lists containing acceptable

List 2

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Real Nice!

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Essential English Vocabulary, List 6

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