insufficient

adjective

ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfi-shənt How to pronounce insufficient (audio)
Definition of insufficientnext
as in lacking
not coming up to an expected measure or meeting a particular need there's been an insufficient number of volunteers for the job, so I'll have to select someone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 insufficient The office said the delay was the result of insufficient funding and challenges with coordinating between the many agencies responsible for the county’s restraining order system. — Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026 There’s insufficient funds in Chile, for example, to make films at the size Nasi wants, and the market is too small. — Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026 The main union for school directors, SNPDEN-UNSA, said that the single day set aside for discussions was insufficient to respond to problems in depth. — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026 Clinical guidelines have also found insufficient evidence that hydrodissection provides long-term improvement. — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for insufficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insufficient
  1. lacking
  2. inadequate
  3. scarce
  4. low
Adjective
  • The Detroit Free Press and other Michigan- and national-based media organizations have said the claims are misleading or lacking context.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
  • But concrete evidence of Clark fans acting in a hateful manner — at least in real time — is severely lacking.
    — Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of lacking
Adjective
  • The company said the pilot is dealing with the ongoing nationwide problem of inadequate truck parking, which leads to driver fatigue, operational inefficiencies and safety risks on major freight routes.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Two also allege the district provided inadequate child abuse reporting training.
    — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of inadequate
Adjective
  • In line with Parton’s original goal, the Imagination Library may do the most to change reading habits in lower-income homes – where children’s books tend to be scarce.
    — Alex H. Poole, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Both men said that California was expensive, housing too scarce, homelessness too common and education too often failing to serve the state’s children.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of scarce
Adjective
  • Jaguar also built a car with long, low proportions that are unique in its segment and required a new platform.
    — Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Set the scene For a hotel with some of the priciest rooms in the city, Capella Bangkok feels decidedly low key.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of low

Browse Nearby Words

insufficiency
insufficient
insufficiently
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Insufficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insufficient. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All