acceptable
adjective
ac·cept·able
ik-ˈsep-tə-bəl 
ak-
also ek-
1
: capable or worthy of being accepted
an acceptable noise level
socially acceptable behavior
a compromise that is acceptable to both sides
Synonyms of acceptable
Examples of acceptable in a Sentence
acceptable and unacceptable noise levels
It was an acceptable performance, although not an outstanding one.
She plays an acceptable game of tennis.
Recent Examples on the Web
Progressives have managed to create a world in which an alarming and growing number of people have concluded that violence against political opponents is an acceptable form of protest.
—
Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 2026
Most striking, the share of students who believe violence is acceptable fell by about 30% in a single year — even as FIRE reports rising national tolerance for violent disruption.
—Jason Jewell, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
To be clear, there is no acceptable number of child fatalities or child maltreatment cases.
—Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
In the Court’s view, such prior restraint was acceptable because motion pictures were not organs of public opinion like newspapers but instead a business, pure and simple, and one with a capacity for evil.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for acceptable
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Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 2026
Most striking, the share of students who believe violence is acceptable fell by about 30% in a single year — even as FIRE reports rising national tolerance for violent disruption.
—Jason Jewell, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
To be clear, there is no acceptable number of child fatalities or child maltreatment cases.
—Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
In the Court’s view, such prior restraint was acceptable because motion pictures were not organs of public opinion like newspapers but instead a business, pure and simple, and one with a capacity for evil.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for acceptable
Cite this Entry
“Acceptable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acceptable. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
acceptable
adjective
ac·cept·able
ik-ˈsep-tə-bəl
ak-
1
: capable or worthy of being accepted : satisfactory
an acceptable excuse
2
: barely good enough
plays an acceptable game
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