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
Mahomes and the Chiefs left just 37 seconds on the clock, insufficient time for the Lions to answer before halftime.
—
Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
The judge said the evidence presented to the grand jury was insufficient to support the terrorism charge.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2025
The Sherpas refused, citing insufficient oxygen supplies as a concern for their own safety.
—Ben Ayers, Outside, 10 Oct. 2025
Green leader Marine Tondelier described the concession as insufficient.
—Reuters, NBC news, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insufficient
Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
The judge said the evidence presented to the grand jury was insufficient to support the terrorism charge.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2025
The Sherpas refused, citing insufficient oxygen supplies as a concern for their own safety.
—Ben Ayers, Outside, 10 Oct. 2025
Green leader Marine Tondelier described the concession as insufficient.
—Reuters, NBC news, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insufficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insufficient
Adjective
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Even well into the 1930s, America’s defense machinery was woefully lacking, especially in the critical transport of material and personnel.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
17 Oct. 2025
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And every year is subject to the quality of the free-agent class, and 2021’s starting pitching market was especially lacking.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Infrastructure gaps, such as missing water lines or inadequate manholes, are other challenges that the group has collaborated with the Unified Government on.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
18 Oct. 2025
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The report comes after the Coast Guard concluded in August that a combination of factors including inadequate design, improper maintenance and a toxic workplace culture at OceanGate all contributed to the disaster.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Few dentists remain open in Gaza, and the materials for braces are scarce.—
Ghada Abdulfattah,
The Atlantic,
21 Oct. 2025
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Public housing gets a rebrand As a nationwide housing shortage keeps affordable options scarce, an old idea is getting a new look.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The 29-time PGA Tour winner has carded three rounds in the 60s, but hasn't been able to go low enough to be among the contenders.—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Oct. 2025
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The pair keep a relatively low profile but have collaborated on productions including Wickline’s theater project, Dukes Forever, which Hornbuckle directed.—
Alyssa Davis,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Insufficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insufficient. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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