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
The blame for the accident is put on Carolyn, for being late, rather than on John for flying at night despite insufficient training.
—
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026
Former detainees have told the AP that the conditions are dire, describing beatings, severe overcrowding, insufficient medical care, scabies outbreaks and poor sanitary conditions.
—ABC News, 25 Mar. 2026
The ranges of these missiles – up to 500 miles (800 km) – are insufficient for Iran to use them against Israel directly because the closest distance between the two countries is about 550 miles (900 km).
—Iain Boyd, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
Instead, prosecutors have pointed to sanctions policy and national security concerns — arguments the defense calls both insufficient and inconsistent.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insufficient
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026
Former detainees have told the AP that the conditions are dire, describing beatings, severe overcrowding, insufficient medical care, scabies outbreaks and poor sanitary conditions.
—ABC News, 25 Mar. 2026
The ranges of these missiles – up to 500 miles (800 km) – are insufficient for Iran to use them against Israel directly because the closest distance between the two countries is about 550 miles (900 km).
—Iain Boyd, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
Instead, prosecutors have pointed to sanctions policy and national security concerns — arguments the defense calls both insufficient and inconsistent.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insufficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insufficient
Adjective
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But the upper frequencies are still slightly lacking.—
Mark Knapp,
PC Magazine,
30 Mar. 2026
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Loro Parque, a zoo on the island of Tenerife, offers a clean and safe environment, expert care and proper mental and social stimulation that Wikie and Keijo are desperately lacking.—
Valerie Greene,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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This disparity is driven by inadequate access to prenatal care, high hypertension rates and other social factors.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
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El Cerrito’s existing library is unsafe and inadequate.—
Paul Fadelli,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Companies competed for scarce workers with healthcare coverage when wages were frozen.—
Charles Edward Gehrke,
Fortune,
28 Mar. 2026
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Details were scarce on when checks would arrive, and a political battle in Congress over funding the Department of Homeland Security continued in earnest Friday.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Customers in Upper Chichester, Lower Chichester, Marcus Hook and Twin Oaks, might experience low to no water pressure as the main break affects the area.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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While the data show overall birth outcomes improving — declining rates of prematurity, low birth weight, and infant mortality — disparities are still prevalent, particularly for Black women.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Insufficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insufficient. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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