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
Analysts note that impact photos alone are insufficient to determine which missile variant was used.
—
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 3 Mar. 2026
Craft is an insufficient word to capture the level of design innovation from the Italian houses this season.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 2 Mar. 2026
Under this language, the same government that is required to give notice could declare an independent publication insufficient and substitute its own website.
—Tim Regan-Porter, Denver Post, 2 Mar. 2026
As for Randall’s then-girlfriend, who was taken into custody days after the shooting on suspicion of being an accessory to a crime and assault with a deadly weapon, the District Attorney’s Office said there was insufficient evidence to file charges against her, and she was released.
—Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insufficient
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Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 3 Mar. 2026
Craft is an insufficient word to capture the level of design innovation from the Italian houses this season.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 2 Mar. 2026
Under this language, the same government that is required to give notice could declare an independent publication insufficient and substitute its own website.
—Tim Regan-Porter, Denver Post, 2 Mar. 2026
As for Randall’s then-girlfriend, who was taken into custody days after the shooting on suspicion of being an accessory to a crime and assault with a deadly weapon, the District Attorney’s Office said there was insufficient evidence to file charges against her, and she was released.
—Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insufficient
Cite this Entry
“Insufficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insufficient. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
insufficient
adjective
in·suf·fi·cient
ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfish-ənt
: not sufficient : inadequate
insufficiently
adverb
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