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
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Recent Examples of insufficient
Canada Soccer later determined that the incident was not an isolated error but part of a pattern of insufficient oversight within the national teams.
—
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026
Stress in plants can arise from various factors, including excessive or insufficient watering, extreme temperatures, diseases, and insect damage.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 18 June 2026
However, older adults are more likely to have insufficient vitamin C levels, Danahy said, since aging bodies absorb the nutrient less efficiently.
—Sarah Garone, Health, 16 June 2026
He was acquitted on a number of charges where judges ruled there was insufficient evidence.
—ABC News, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for insufficient
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026
Stress in plants can arise from various factors, including excessive or insufficient watering, extreme temperatures, diseases, and insect damage.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 18 June 2026
However, older adults are more likely to have insufficient vitamin C levels, Danahy said, since aging bodies absorb the nutrient less efficiently.
—Sarah Garone, Health, 16 June 2026
He was acquitted on a number of charges where judges ruled there was insufficient evidence.
—ABC News, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for insufficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insufficient
Adjective
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Of those lacking space, dozens of schools have a solution in place — such as an annex that’s already planned, a capital project that’s already sited, or excess space in a building with several schools that can be reallocated — according to the plan.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
11 June 2026
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Coaches and teammates have struggled to remain in contact with him, and AIyuk’s rare social media posts have been both cryptic and lacking clues about his football ambitions.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
3 June 2026
Adjective
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Eligibility to live in the development is open to those who don’t own a home or who live in inadequate housing.—
Kamal Morgan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 June 2026
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But Moreno said her rec centers have huge needs, citing the lack of a scoreboard at Montgomery-Waller and inadequate dugouts at Memorial’s ballpark.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 June 2026
Adjective
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And resources will only get more scarce as pressure builds to cut costs and benefits in a tight job market.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
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Japan's school lunch program was actually started after World War II, when the country was shattered and food was scarce.—
Adam Yamaguchi,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
Adjective
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When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
19 June 2026
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The proposal was designed to help stabilize the state budget and eliminate a structural deficit through July 2028, while also protecting smaller businesses with lower tax liability.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Insufficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insufficient. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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