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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of insufficient
Attorneys challenging the appointments have raised issues about a lack of transparency in how special prosecutor arrangements come about as well as insufficient oversight and guardrails over the work, which the taxpayer foots the bill for.
—
Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
The partial rejections were issued March 9 by EPA administrator Lee Zeldin, who agreed with the environmental group that the six air permits were insufficient.
—Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
Still, military action alone is insufficient.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2026
Some employees hadn’t completed an accredited food-handler course, the outside trash receptacles weren’t covered and there was insufficient hot water in the employee restroom.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insufficient
Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
The partial rejections were issued March 9 by EPA administrator Lee Zeldin, who agreed with the environmental group that the six air permits were insufficient.
—Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
Still, military action alone is insufficient.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2026
Some employees hadn’t completed an accredited food-handler course, the outside trash receptacles weren’t covered and there was insufficient hot water in the employee restroom.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insufficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insufficient
Adjective
-
Loro Parque, a zoo on the island of Tenerife, offers a clean and safe environment, expert care and proper mental and social stimulation that Wikie and Keijo are desperately lacking.—
Valerie Greene,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 Mar. 2026
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Financial vulnerability in Cook County has declined modestly since 2022, with fewer households reporting having less than a week of savings and fewer lacking confidence in reaching long-term goals.—
Jennifer Tescher,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This disparity is driven by inadequate access to prenatal care, high hypertension rates and other social factors.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
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El Cerrito’s existing library is unsafe and inadequate.—
Paul Fadelli,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Contrary to what their name suggests, rare earths are not actually scarce in nature.—
Brit McCandless Farmer,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Oil prices would continue to soar, while fertilizer, generic drugs, helium and other products dependent on the strait would grow scarce, squeezing the American economy and world economy alike.—
Nicholas D. Kristof,
Mercury News,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Customers in Upper Chichester, Lower Chichester, Marcus Hook and Twin Oaks, might experience low to no water pressure as the main break affects the area.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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While the data show overall birth outcomes improving — declining rates of prematurity, low birth weight, and infant mortality — disparities are still prevalent, particularly for Black women.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Insufficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insufficient. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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