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.

"While there may be no technical breach, that does not make the situation acceptable."

From BBC • Apr. 17, 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

Some tried to distinguish between offensive and defensive weapons, with only the latter deemed acceptable.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 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

A relationship with Aunty Uju was acceptable, but such flagrant proof of the relationship was not.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

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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