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
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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
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Recent Examples of insufficiency
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
In addition to systemic barriers that Black mothers already face, cervical insufficiency is quite difficult to diagnose.
—Essence, 11 Apr. 2025
While hospitalized, the pope was also diagnosed with a polymicrobial infection and then mild renal insufficiency but appeared to have overcome those issues as well.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
In addition to systemic barriers that Black mothers already face, cervical insufficiency is quite difficult to diagnose.
—Essence, 11 Apr. 2025
While hospitalized, the pope was also diagnosed with a polymicrobial infection and then mild renal insufficiency but appeared to have overcome those issues as well.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insufficiency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insufficiency
Noun
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In their open letter this spring, former weather service directors warned that severe staffing shortages at local weather service offices could lead to less accurate and detailed forecasts this summer.—
Rebecca Hersher,
NPR,
19 May 2025
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The Philadelphia air traffic control facility that handles flights at Newark is also experiencing a staffing shortage.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
19 May 2025
Noun
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Gordon filled the strike zone and never shied away from adversity, even with a total inability to miss bats.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
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The family might not have chosen to terminate the pregnancy anyway, Newkirk said, but their trauma was compounded by the inability to make the decision for themselves.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
Noun
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With Bailey, the Jazz are going to have to do a lot of work, because he’s got serious flaws in his game, namely the lack of ballhandling acumen.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
New York Times,
13 May 2025
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The result is a lack of options for extended families, working-class renters or seniors aging in place.—
Danny Villalobos,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2025
Noun
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Ultimately, the expedition’s failure likely came down to a combination of factors, including dietary deficiencies, hubris and simple bad luck.—
Meilan Solly,
Smithsonian Magazine,
19 May 2025
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The absence of the 10 men, who also utilized facility deficiencies that officials have long complained about in their escape, went unnoticed for hours.—
Jack Brook,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Insufficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insufficiency. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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