1
as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
dealt with the school's insufficiency of art supplies by buying materials out of her own pocket
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inability
the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means
her alleged insufficiency for the job
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of insufficiency
The 2021 Chicago Council on Global Affairs survey showed only nine percent of South Korean respondents—perhaps recognizing the insufficiency of this step—supported a U.S. deployment of nuclear weapons.
—
Robert E. Kelly, Foreign Affairs, 30 Dec. 2024
On the other hand, if your social media app of choice elicits feelings of insufficiency, and self-control resources are burned up by exerting will power to avoid consuming products, or regulating hard emotions, than that experience is important to notice.
—Ellen Choi, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Research found that oral C. asiatica improved signs and symptoms of venous insufficiency, such as varicose veins, leg heaviness, pain, and swelling (edema).
—Amy Brownstein, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 19 Dec. 2024
These snug garments were once used primarily in medical contexts to improve circulation, especially in people with damage to their leg veins (say, due to a condition called chronic venous insufficiency).
—Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 5 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for insufficiency
Robert E. Kelly, Foreign Affairs, 30 Dec. 2024
On the other hand, if your social media app of choice elicits feelings of insufficiency, and self-control resources are burned up by exerting will power to avoid consuming products, or regulating hard emotions, than that experience is important to notice.
—Ellen Choi, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Research found that oral C. asiatica improved signs and symptoms of venous insufficiency, such as varicose veins, leg heaviness, pain, and swelling (edema).
—Amy Brownstein, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 19 Dec. 2024
These snug garments were once used primarily in medical contexts to improve circulation, especially in people with damage to their leg veins (say, due to a condition called chronic venous insufficiency).
—Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 5 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for insufficiency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insufficiency
Noun
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This makes access easier to those who had relied on compounding pharmacies like Hims & Hers while there was a shortage of the drug.—
Paulina Likos,
CNBC,
25 Feb. 2025
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There's a regional shortage of crossing guards, leading to school safety concerns, but D.C. officials say there's another obstacle: mandatory drug tests, which 43% of applicants fail.—
Anna Spiegel,
Axios,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The Panthers understood that liberation and empowerment could only come through communal love focused on helping one’s neighbors and building up one’s community, even though their inability to live up to their ideals ultimately limited some of the group’s potential.—
Mickell Carter / Made by History,
TIME,
19 Feb. 2025
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But they have been slowed by the COVID pandemic, cost increases due to inflation, permitting delays and other problems, including the inability of local water agencies sponsoring them to come up with all of the matching funds.—
Paul Rogers,
The Mercury News,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Some college presidents decide to weather the storm, hoping to placate enough constituents so that the motion fails for a lack of votes.—
Shaun Richman,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2025
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Webster is a good example of how luck — or a lack of it — can have a huge impact on a player’s career.—
Andy Naylor,
The Athletic,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Nutrient deficiencies: Not getting enough iron, zinc, biotin, and protein can negatively affect your hair.—
Kelly Burch Published,
Verywell Health,
25 Feb. 2025
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The former results from insulin deficiency, while the latter is caused by insulin resistance.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
22 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Insufficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insufficiency. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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