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
Relevance
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 insufficient
If a bond has insufficient funds, the importer cannot take ownership of their freight.
—
Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
My analysis of 26 public universities between 1980 and 2018, for example, found that tuition revenue growth was three times the reduction in state funding—meaning that the loss of state support is insufficient to explain the surge in tuition.
—Neetu Arnold, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
But in 2026, those levers are insufficient.
—Katica Roy, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
What Coconut Water Does to Your Blood Pressure Coconut water might help control blood pressure (BP), but insufficient evidence exists to recommend it routinely.
—Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insufficient
Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
My analysis of 26 public universities between 1980 and 2018, for example, found that tuition revenue growth was three times the reduction in state funding—meaning that the loss of state support is insufficient to explain the surge in tuition.
—Neetu Arnold, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
But in 2026, those levers are insufficient.
—Katica Roy, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
What Coconut Water Does to Your Blood Pressure Coconut water might help control blood pressure (BP), but insufficient evidence exists to recommend it routinely.
—Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insufficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insufficient
Adjective
-
Vučević is also a good defensive rebounder, an area in which the Celtics are greatly lacking.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Unfortunately, that correspondence is wholly lacking.—
Clarence Page,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Federal regulators are shutting down more than 550 commercial driving schools nationwide after finding unqualified instructors, inadequate testing and other safety failures.—
Josh Funk,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
In Texas, builders and contractors can be unlicensed, and Klepac has assisted clients who have needed remedial work due to inadequate construction design.—
Jessica Elliott,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Are dinner reservations more scarce and more expensive?—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Details are scarce as to what prompted the officer to fire.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
All that is gone, even more so as Premier League matches are being switched to Mondays and Fridays, when demand for everything is lower.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Insufficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insufficient. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
