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

However, in some areas, there are complaints that there is still insufficient personnel to accelerate the search. — Osmary Hernández, CNN Money, 27 June 2026

More recent reviews conclude that while reishi demonstrates promising anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, there is currently insufficient high-quality clinical evidence to confirm its effectiveness for treating seasonal allergies or other allergic conditions in humans. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2026

As part of that inquiry, police seized his cellphone, but there was insufficient probable cause to examine it. — Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026

But in environments where material conditions can shift within weeks, static governance architectures become increasingly insufficient. — Nosa Omoigui, Forbes.com, 26 June 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