Synonyms of insufficient

insufficient

adjective

ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfi-shənt 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lacking
• inadequate
• scarce
• low
• deficient
• short
• wanting
• unacceptable
• shy
• unsatisfactory
• sparse
• substandard
• meager
• poor
• scanty
• scant
• skimpy
• minimum
• lean
• small
• mere
• spare
• light
• stingy
• slender
• slim
• bare
• skimp
• slight
• hand-to-mouth

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sufficient
• adequate
• enough
• ample
• abundant
• plentiful
• generous
• copious
• liberal
• bountiful
• enlarged
• plenteous
• bounteous
• satisfactory
• expanded
• supplemented
• large
• overflowing
• tolerable
• considerable
• substantial
• rich
• plenitudinous
• lavish
• sizable
• big
• super
• teeming
• hefty
• luxuriant
• abounding
• oversize
• jumbo
• largish
• king-size

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of insufficient

Advertisement By last fall, Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs had concluded that its conventional public diplomacy efforts—known in Israel as hasbara—were woefully insufficient. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 14 July 2026

The Placer County District Attorney’s Office declined to file criminal charges, concluding there was insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime had occurred. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026

Standard, off-the-shelf materials were insufficient, demanding an entirely new structure for the cloak. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 July 2026

Prolonged exposure to heat can lead to insufficient or poor sleep, compromising the immune system, increasing the risk for cardiovascular disease and diminishing cognitive performance. — Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026