insufficient

adjective

in·​suf·​fi·​cient ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfi-shənt How to pronounce insufficient (audio)
: not sufficient : inadequate
insufficient funds
especially : lacking adequate power, capacity, or competence
insufficient bandwidth
insufficiently adverb

Examples of insufficient in a Sentence

The case was thrown out because of insufficient evidence. there's been an insufficient number of volunteers for the job, so I'll have to select someone
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
According to the report, in 2023 and 2024, more than half of rejections at the resonable grounds stage were because a referee had ‘insufficient proof,’ as opposed to just 3% in 2022, before the evidence threshold was changed. Frey Lindsay, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025 After a police investigation into the allegations, San Bernardino County prosecutors declined to file criminal charges against Labrada, citing insufficient evidence. Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025 The defense is also asking the judge to overturn the jury verdict and acquit Martinez based on insufficient evidence, a common tactic at the end of most trials. Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 19 Mar. 2025 The company identified material weaknesses in its internal controls over financial reporting, including insufficient accounting expertise and issues with inventory management. Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for insufficient

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin insufficient-, insufficiens, from Latin in- + sufficient-, sufficiens sufficient

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of insufficient was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Insufficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insufficient. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

insufficient

adjective
in·​suf·​fi·​cient ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfish-ənt How to pronounce insufficient (audio)
: not sufficient : inadequate
insufficiently adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on insufficient

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