as in lacking
not coming up to an expected measure or meeting a particular need
there's been an insufficient number of volunteers for the job, so I'll have to select someone
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Recent Examples of insufficient
There are driver-specific factors that also increase safety risk on Houston highways, such as fatigue, distracted driving, speeding on suboptimal roads, and insufficient training.
—
Wyles Daniel, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2026
It has been determined that there is insufficient evidence to charge a criminal case.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
By and large, local control has yielded insufficient supply.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
Replying to a commenter on Instagram, a representative for the market cited insufficient foot traffic as the reason for the market’s closure.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insufficient
Wyles Daniel, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2026
It has been determined that there is insufficient evidence to charge a criminal case.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
By and large, local control has yielded insufficient supply.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
Replying to a commenter on Instagram, a representative for the market cited insufficient foot traffic as the reason for the market’s closure.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insufficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insufficient
Adjective
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And don’t give me the lacking pass protection nonsense.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
2 Mar. 2026
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But Bob is historically tardy and his research and prep work is historically always pretty lacking.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In 1969, health experts at a White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, and Health concluded nutrition in medical education was inadequate and recommended making funds for future program development available.—
Berkeley Lovelace Jr,
NBC news,
5 Mar. 2026
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Advocates for Eaton and Palisades fire survivors accuse virtually every insurance company of attempting to lowball homeowners by using industrial hygienists who conduct inadequate analyses.—
Tony Saavedra,
Daily News,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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For working class voters with inflexible work schedules, limited transportation and scarce childcare, adding a document requirement is not a neutral inconvenience.—
Kica Matos,
Hartford Courant,
1 Mar. 2026
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In areas of intense fighting — especially in Darfur — famine is spreading and food and basic supplies are scarce.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Kelly Clarkson Home Valentin Striped Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug Powerloomed for durability, this low-pile rug works well both outdoors on a patio or indoors in high-traffic areas like mudrooms.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
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ValenSil serves as a microcosm of a broader shift in the US labor market to a low-hire, low-fire environment that is likely to be highlighted when the February jobs report is released Friday morning.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Insufficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insufficient. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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