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 of insufficient

• 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

Such integration could help humanoid robots operate more safely in industrial environments, homes, and medical assistance settings, particularly when vision alone is insufficient for detecting contact or navigating obstacles. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026

The documentary contains, through her participation and performance, the accommodation that facts alone are insufficient and maybe impossible. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026

Other individuals may be working for a company but find the wages or benefits are insufficient. — Annie Nova, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026

An overflow of raw shell eggs were in an insufficient amount of ice in an ice bath. — Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026

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