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
Of these, 205 shut down due to insufficient work orders and 190 due to financial strain.
—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
26 June 2026
Frustratingly, Rubus armeniacus is notoriously difficult to get rid of, as traditional approaches to invasive management such as fire, herbicide, and mowing are insufficient at eradicating the plant.
—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
25 June 2026
Chronically insufficient supply has collided with millennials and older Gen Zers aging closer to prime homebuying age, a confluence of factors that has pushed national home prices up 55% between 2020 and 2025, according to a report published Monday by the Mortgage Bankers’ Association (MBA).
—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
24 June 2026
If the estate assets are insufficient, any remaining loan balance may be discharged.
—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for insufficient
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
26 June 2026
Frustratingly, Rubus armeniacus is notoriously difficult to get rid of, as traditional approaches to invasive management such as fire, herbicide, and mowing are insufficient at eradicating the plant.
—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
25 June 2026
Chronically insufficient supply has collided with millennials and older Gen Zers aging closer to prime homebuying age, a confluence of factors that has pushed national home prices up 55% between 2020 and 2025, according to a report published Monday by the Mortgage Bankers’ Association (MBA).
—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
24 June 2026
If the estate assets are insufficient, any remaining loan balance may be discharged.
—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for insufficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insufficient
Adjective
-
An honest review would tell you the coordination was a little lacking in this particular bit of maritime cosplay.
-
While sports governing bodies such as FIFA and the International Olympic Committee have come to recognize that press freedom is an essential part of their commitments to uphold human rights, results are vastly lacking.
Adjective
-
But Dr Hon Pak, Samsung’s Senior Vice President and Head of the Digital Health Team, feels that model is increasingly inadequate for a world grappling with ageing populations, rising healthcare costs and an epidemic of chronic disease.
-
Newsom in March publicly warned 15 California cities about their inadequate housing plans.
Adjective
-
Economics teaches us that what is scarce becomes more valuable.
-
Paz said that the state of emergency is intended to guarantee fuel supplies, which have become increasingly scarce as roadblocks have left tanker trucks stranded.
Adjective
-
Hien immediately fell to the ground and had to be helped off the pitch with what appeared to be a lower-body injury.
-
Wenski’s remarks come as many in South Florida, the heart of the Haitian community in the country, are reeling after the justices reversed a lower court ruling upholding TPS protections for Haitians.
Cite this Entry
“Insufficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insufficient. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
