1
as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
dealt with the school's insufficiency of art supplies by buying materials out of her own pocket
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inability
the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means
her alleged insufficiency for the job
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of insufficiency
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
But there’s a catch: Roughly 50% of the population suffers from vitamin D insufficiency.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2025
France: Enhancing diets There’s perhaps no better sign of the incomplete progress made on nutrition than the resurgence of diseases of nutritional insufficiency that should be easy to eradicate.
—Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insufficiency
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
But there’s a catch: Roughly 50% of the population suffers from vitamin D insufficiency.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2025
France: Enhancing diets There’s perhaps no better sign of the incomplete progress made on nutrition than the resurgence of diseases of nutritional insufficiency that should be easy to eradicate.
—Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insufficiency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insufficiency
Noun
-
Meanwhile, Californians feel the effects of the shortage of at least 3 million homes in their pocketbooks.—
Laura Friedman,
Oc Register,
7 July 2025
-
These impacts have been felt profoundly with more destructive fires, intense water shortages and flooding in California as well as in many other parts of the world.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 July 2025
Noun
-
Boos rained down much of the evening, with frustration directed at the referees and the Checkers’ inability to convert on their powerplay opportunities.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
24 June 2025
-
Her recommendation is not to fight or try to control their inability to sit still and be quiet.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
Some listeners began to have doubts about The Velvet Sundown's existence over the past week, with multiple Reddit and X threads pointing out the lack of verifiable information on the band.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 June 2025
-
Overnight low temperatures are rising nearly twice as fast as afternoon highs, and this lack of relief during the night poses a significant health risk -- particularly for those without access to air conditioning, according to the assessment.—
Matthew Glasser,
ABC News,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
If the deficiency is prolonged, the plant may stop flowering and fruiting altogether.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 July 2025
-
The issue was also declared a significant deficiency in 2020, and Wyandotte officials pledged to begin implementing a residential protection program.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
5 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Insufficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insufficiency. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share