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

The only way to prevent its rapid spread is through containment—but containment efforts can also fuel mistrust, Sebushishe says, and that’s partly because outreach is often insufficient at the beginning of an outbreak. — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 22 July 2026

Sergio Valdovinos Ramirez, 36, pleaded guilty Monday to using more than $300,000 of his clients’ money to pay for his gambling habit and passing checks with insufficient funds. — Jazmin Alvarado, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026

Read over the notice and determine if the problem has to do with tax relief eligibility, incorrect calculations, missing income or insufficient documentation. — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 20 July 2026

The establishment was temporarily closed by the city due to insufficient hot water at the hand sinks. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2026