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 Shark Club serves all of the above, plus copious quantities of the usual chicken wings, burgers, nachos and brunch items on weekends. — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2026 These are bright and turbulent regions powered by central engine supermassive black holes with masses of millions or even billions of times that of the sun that are feeding on copious amounts of gas and dust. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 21 Sep. 2026 Between copious hits from a vape, relaxing in his home office in rural Pennsylvania, McNeil talks about the strange process of writing about his own punk rock life for a change. — Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026 The market has already shown a voracious appetite for companies demonstrating copious free cash flows at a time when it's become scarce. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for copious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for copious

Adjective

Strong reviews should continue to propel the lavish film at the box office, which carries a substantial $100 million price tag.

— Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 24 Oct. 2026
Kim Kardashian’s parade of 46th birthday outfits continues, and her most recent night-out ensemble might be her most lavish look yet.

— Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of lavish

Adjective

Scientists identified abundant esterase enzymes in LCAP-containing forest samples.

— Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
After a couple frosty mornings, abundant sunshine will warm us up into the lower 60s Saturday afternoon and the mid-60s on Sunday.

— Cutter Martin, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of abundant

Adjective

The King Studio had ample room for relaxing during the day—with a couch, coffee table, and corner accent chair—and a welcoming canopy king bed for restful nights.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026
While there's no denying the importance of a veggie-heavy diet and a regular exercise regimen, ample research points to the psychological benefits of both meditation and mindfulness.

— Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of ample

Adjective

David Standridge’s philosophy is all about harvesting what’s plentiful and turning it into something delicious.

— Victoria Malloy, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
The service Employees are beautiful, plentiful and delightful, with a high staff-to-resident ratio that keeps guests from feeling overlooked, although communication between departments could be better.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of plentiful

Adjective

According to a one-year analysis of data collected from San Francisco’s 33 camera locations and other traffic-sensing equipment, excessive speeding — more than 10 mph above the speed limit — dropped nearly 80%.

— Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
Brought by Koya’s estate and daughter Nathifa Wright, it’s being heard at Sacramento’s United States District Court and seeks damages for 17 claims, including false detention, excessive force and wrongful death.

— Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of excessive

Adjective

The riotous 640-page doorstopper grapples with homophobia then and now, the lingering specter of colonialism, the tumult of the AIDS crisis, and frameworks of power that demand dominance or submission.

— Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
Adéla draws from the Britney Spears playbook on the track and ends up with a riotous song destined for Top 40 dominance.

— Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of riotous

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“Copious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/copious. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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