insufficiency

noun

in·​suf·​fi·​cien·​cy ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfi-shən(t)-sē 

plural insufficiencies

1

: the quality or state of being insufficient: such as

a

: lack of mental or moral fitness : incompetence

the insufficiency of this person for public office

b

: lack of adequate supply

insufficiency of provisions

c

: lack of physical power or capacity

especially : inability of an organ or body part to function normally

renal insufficiency

2

: something that is insufficient or falls short of expectations

Synonyms

• crunch
• dearth
• deficiency
• deficit
• drought
• drouth
• failure
• famine
• inadequacy
• inadequateness
• lack
• lacuna
• paucity
• pinch
• poverty
• scantiness
• scarceness
• scarcity
• shortage
• undersupply
• want

Examples of insufficiency in a Sentence

dealt with the school's insufficiency of art supplies by buying materials out of her own pocket

her alleged insufficiency for the job

Recent Examples on the Web

Any form of neck manipulation should only be performed by a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) or a licensed Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) after a thorough examination to rule out risk factors such as vertebral artery insufficiency or elevated stroke risk. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 12 May 2025

Chance also understands that making informed decisions with your healthcare providers after experiencing cervical insufficiency is a critical form of self-care. —Essence, 11 Apr. 2025

Venous hypertension is most commonly caused by venous insufficiency, a condition in which the veins can’t normally return blood to the heart. —Ruth Jessen Hickman, Md, Verywell Health, 10 Apr. 2025

This insufficiency could partly explain the differences in life expectancies. —Kristen Rogers, CNN, 23 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for insufficiency

• inefficiency
• deficiency
• efficiency
• proficiency
• sufficiency
• immunodeficiency

Kids Definition

insufficiency

noun

in·​suf·​fi·​cien·​cy ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfish-ən-sē 

plural insufficiencies

1

: the quality or state of being insufficient

2

: a lack of something : deficiency

Medical Definition

insufficiency

noun

in·​suf·​fi·​cien·​cy ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfish-ən-sē 

plural insufficiencies

: the quality or state of not being sufficient: as

a

: lack of adequate supply of something

an insufficiency of vitamins

b

: lack of physical power or capacity

especially : inability of an organ or bodily part to function normally

renal insufficiency

pulmonary insufficiency

insufficient

-ənt 

adjective

insufficient blood flow to the brain