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
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
Despite insufficient evidence of its benefits, involuntary commitments are already on the rise and Trump’s order could escalate them dramatically.
—
O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 2 Jan. 2026
Allowing Failure in a Controlled Way People may fail for various reasons, such as lack of preparation, insufficient skills or knowledge, poor planning, fear of taking risks or external factors beyond their control.
—Nancy Pulciano, Rolling Stone, 2 Jan. 2026
Tonya McKnight faced conspiracy and assault charges in 2018, but they were dismissed by the district attorney’s office due to insufficient evidence, a spokesperson for Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court Elisa Chinn-Gary confirmed in an email.
—Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 1 Jan. 2026
It should also be avoided during pregnancy and lactation, as there is insufficient data regarding the safety of use during these periods of time.
—Valentina Bottoni, Vogue, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insufficient
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O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 2 Jan. 2026
Allowing Failure in a Controlled Way People may fail for various reasons, such as lack of preparation, insufficient skills or knowledge, poor planning, fear of taking risks or external factors beyond their control.
—Nancy Pulciano, Rolling Stone, 2 Jan. 2026
Tonya McKnight faced conspiracy and assault charges in 2018, but they were dismissed by the district attorney’s office due to insufficient evidence, a spokesperson for Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court Elisa Chinn-Gary confirmed in an email.
—Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 1 Jan. 2026
It should also be avoided during pregnancy and lactation, as there is insufficient data regarding the safety of use during these periods of time.
—Valentina Bottoni, Vogue, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insufficient
Cite this Entry
“Insufficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insufficient. Accessed 5 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
insufficient
adjective
in·suf·fi·cient
ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfish-ənt
: not sufficient : inadequate
insufficiently
adverb
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