insufficient

adjective

in·​suf·​fi·​cient ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfi-shənt 

: not sufficient : inadequate

insufficient funds

especially : lacking adequate power, capacity, or competence

insufficient bandwidth

insufficiently adverb

Synonyms

• lacking
• inadequate
• scarce
• low

Examples of insufficient in a Sentence

The case was thrown out because of insufficient evidence.

there's been an insufficient number of volunteers for the job, so I'll have to select someone

Recent Examples on the Web

His sentence was 15 years in prison with 10 years suspended, but the conviction was overturned for insufficient evidence four months in. —Andrew McGowan, Variety, 23 Oct. 2025

The court granted motions to dismiss, finding Towers’ allegations legally insufficient and procedurally flawed. —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025

Since the charge, Ashley has stood by her man and by October 2018, the charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence. —Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025

The findings offer concrete steps homeowners can take now to reduce the risk of holding insufficient coverage. —Tony Cookson, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin insufficient-, insufficiens, from Latin in- + sufficient-, sufficiens sufficient

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for insufficient

• beneficent
• coefficient
• inefficient
• deficient
• efficient
• omniscient
• proficient
• sufficient

Kids Definition

insufficient

adjective

in·​suf·​fi·​cient ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfish-ənt 

: not sufficient : inadequate

insufficiently adverb