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 condition results from insufficient calcium for normal muscle function, which can impair uterine contractions or affect the pelvic bone structure, increasing the likelihood of delivery complications.
—
Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
In this context, the old model of leadership — the domain expert, the warfighting technician — is insufficient.
—Big Think, 27 Oct. 2025
That could be for reasons ranging from insufficient evidence to the statute of limitations expiring.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 27 Oct. 2025
Last December, an attempt to reappoint Walker to another five-year term failed due to insufficient support among members of the Board of Directors.
—Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insufficient
Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
In this context, the old model of leadership — the domain expert, the warfighting technician — is insufficient.
—Big Think, 27 Oct. 2025
That could be for reasons ranging from insufficient evidence to the statute of limitations expiring.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 27 Oct. 2025
Last December, an attempt to reappoint Walker to another five-year term failed due to insufficient support among members of the Board of Directors.
—Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insufficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insufficient
Adjective
-
But Wild coach John Hynes noted in training camp that Jiricek’s decision making in the heat of the battle in the defensive zone is sometimes lacking.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
27 Oct. 2025
-
And the flick, based on Hoover’s bestselling novel, lays it on thick alongside a lacking narrative and cringey dialogue.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Furthermore, recent years have exposed significant professional failures—from the flawed coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic to inadequate reporting on President Biden’s cognitive health.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The notion that the catastrophe stems from inadequate defense spending collapses the moment the interceptors fail.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
As housing remains scarce, pricey, and out of reach, the share of first-time home buyers has hit an all-time low.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Cost of living is raging, high-paying job opportunities are scarce, and layoffs are on the rise.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The organization’s Green Heart Project, which studies the impact of better air quality on heart disease through urban greening, has found that increasing the number of trees and shrubs in an area can create lower levels of a blood marker associated with inflammation.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Here is Carreras profiting from that exact ploy while playing for Benfica against Barcelona in the Champions League last season, sneaking forward on the far side before receiving the switch and hammering a low cross into striker Vangelis Pavlidis to score.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Insufficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insufficient. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share