INSUFFICIENT Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

insufficient

adjective

ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfi-shənt

Definition of insufficient

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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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 Food distribution was insufficient, and the nearest water spigots were almost half a mile away. — Ben Taub, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 But technical factors seem insufficient to account for a shift of such magnitude in a $40 trillion market. — George Calhoun, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026 Those details alone are also generally insufficient for opening major financial accounts or taking out loans because financial institutions typically require additional identity verification. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026 The stoppage happened about 3½ hours after the start amid complaints of insufficient water for the runners. — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for insufficient

Recent Examples of Synonyms for insufficient

Adjective

Illinois already ranks among the states with the highest property taxes in the nation, yet substantive efforts to relieve this burden remain entirely lacking.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
The Detroit Free Press and other Michigan- and national-based media organizations have said the claims are misleading or lacking context.

— Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of lacking

Adjective

Some experts believe this is a good start, but many see it as wholly inadequate.

— Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
California officials dispute the federal approach, saying the government did not provide the evidence or methodology needed to assess the list and gave the state an inadequate deadline.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of inadequate

Adjective

The scarce resource today is a person willing to stand behind what a test claims to prove.

— Jay Singh, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
The conventional seed sector is dominated by hybrid and GMO cotton varieties, making certified organic and non-GMO seed scarce and difficult to obtain.

— Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of scarce

Adjective

The wide availability of low-cost, powerful open models is one reason Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has warned that open models in particular pose a risk of widespread and potentially devastating cyber attacks.

— Emily Forlini, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
America's ability to compete internationally, which has become a central argument for expanding AI infrastructure, ranks much lower.

— Will Johnson, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of low

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insufficiency

insufficient

insufficiently

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“Insufficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insufficient. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of insufficient

adjective

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