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
The impacts of vitamin K insufficiency in the newborn period can be serious.
—
wendy Wisner, Parents, 27 Jan. 2026
In recent months, speculation about the president’s ability to deal with chronic venous insufficiency and lead the country by past staffers, political strategists and the public has mounted.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 26 Jan. 2026
Others, such as adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease), are rare, and impact less than 1% of the US population.
—Rachel Reiff Ellis, SELF, 23 Jan. 2026
Barbabella said in July the president was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, which according to the National Institute of Health can cause skin discoloration, among other symptoms.
—Mike Stunson, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insufficiency
wendy Wisner, Parents, 27 Jan. 2026
In recent months, speculation about the president’s ability to deal with chronic venous insufficiency and lead the country by past staffers, political strategists and the public has mounted.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 26 Jan. 2026
Others, such as adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease), are rare, and impact less than 1% of the US population.
—Rachel Reiff Ellis, SELF, 23 Jan. 2026
Barbabella said in July the president was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, which according to the National Institute of Health can cause skin discoloration, among other symptoms.
—Mike Stunson, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insufficiency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insufficiency
Noun
-
The study further concludes that current crackdown has reduced employment in those and other industries where employers face shortages.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
22 Feb. 2026
-
There is a shortage of specialists in Ukraine and hospitals have come under attack.—
Carol Guzy,
NPR,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But its lofty position is threatened by, among other things, America’s own chronic inability to keep a balanced budget, and the administration’s trade policy is part of what’s holding it back from doing so.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Rust, more than most of the Penguins, has taken the franchise’s recent inability to reach the postseason especially hard in recent years.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Risk factors at any age include obesity, lack of physical activity, a diet high in red or processed meat and low in fruits and vegetables, smoking, heavy alcohol use, having inflammatory bowel disease or a family history of colorectal cancer.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Feb. 2026
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For all those reasons, there has been bemusement at Everton in the past over his relative lack of England recognition.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Your tall tree did well to grow to 30 years of age but is now showing signs of maybe greening disease, trunk decline and nutrient deficiency in an accompanying email photo.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Feb. 2026
-
For example, whitish nails might indicate a vitamin deficiency or liver disease.—
Andee Tagle,
NPR,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Insufficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insufficiency. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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