insufficiency

noun

in·​suf·​fi·​cien·​cy ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfi-shən(t)-sē 

plural insufficiencies

1

: the quality or state of being insufficient: such as

a

: lack of mental or moral fitness : incompetence

the insufficiency of this person for public office

b

: lack of adequate supply

insufficiency of provisions

c

: lack of physical power or capacity

especially : inability of an organ or body part to function normally

renal insufficiency

2

: something that is insufficient or falls short of expectations

Synonyms

• crunch
• dearth
• deficiency
• deficit
• drought
• drouth
• failure
• famine
• inadequacy
• inadequateness
• lack
• lacuna
• paucity
• pinch
• poverty
• scantiness
• scarceness
• scarcity
• shortage
• undersupply
• want

Examples of insufficiency in a Sentence

dealt with the school's insufficiency of art supplies by buying materials out of her own pocket

her alleged insufficiency for the job

Recent Examples on the Web

Francis’s blood tests confirmed an improvement and that a mild kidney insufficiency had subsided. —Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025

Pope Francis, 88, spent his 10th day at Rome's Gemelli Hospital Monday for a complex lung infection that has led to the early stages of kidney insufficiency, according to the Vatican. —Greg Norman, Fox News, 24 Feb. 2025

It has been praised for lifting millions of children out of poverty, and research shows that a temporary expansion during the coronavirus pandemic significantly reduced food insufficiency and helped families achieve basic needs. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025

Sakharov incorporates blockchain technology to solve the traditional system’s insufficiencies and outdated practices. —Geoff Whitmore, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for insufficiency

• inefficiency
• deficiency
• efficiency
• proficiency
• sufficiency
• immunodeficiency

Kids Definition

insufficiency

noun

in·​suf·​fi·​cien·​cy ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfish-ən-sē 

plural insufficiencies

1

: the quality or state of being insufficient

2

: a lack of something : deficiency

Medical Definition

insufficiency

noun

in·​suf·​fi·​cien·​cy ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfish-ən-sē 

plural insufficiencies

: the quality or state of not being sufficient: as

a

: lack of adequate supply of something

an insufficiency of vitamins

b

: lack of physical power or capacity

especially : inability of an organ or bodily part to function normally

renal insufficiency

pulmonary insufficiency

insufficient

-ənt 

adjective

insufficient blood flow to the brain