INSUFFICIENT Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

insufficient

adjective

ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfi-shənt

Definition of insufficient

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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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.

Recent Examples of insufficient Heloísa and Helena began to suffer from insufficient blood flow to vital organs, and died from heart attacks, just 14 minutes apart. — Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 24 Aug. 2026 The scheme reportedly involved depositing checks from accounts with insufficient funds, then withdrawing the temporarily available money, leaving the banks to absorb the losses once the checks bounced, court records show. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026 Excessive data gathering, lax access controls, indefinite retention, and insufficient governance all increase the impact of breaches. — Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 Last winter was tough for marmots living high in the Colorado mountains, where researchers say two-thirds of one population died while hibernating because of insufficient snow cover. — Brittany Peterson, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for insufficient

Recent Examples of Synonyms for insufficient

Adjective

Where to Stay Ely hosts a handful of hotels and motels within town limits, but true luxury accommodations are somewhat lacking.

— Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2026
Which is to say quality constraints on what Paramount could conceivably dump into theaters are totally lacking.

— Chris Lee, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of lacking

Adjective

Yields dipped and then rebounded in the wake of the Treasury buyback move, a signal that bond investors believed Bessent's moves were inadequate.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
Flat outsole sneakers lack the arch support that keeps the foot from rolling in and provide inadequate shock absorption.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of inadequate

Adjective

For reference, antimony is a relatively scarce metal/mineral used in things like flame retardants, batteries, electronics, and defense applications.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
David Szondy/New Atlas What was needed was a cheap, effective weapon that could be produced quickly and in large numbers with the scarce resources available in a country committed to total war.

— David Szondy August 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of scarce

Adjective

Structural inflation, fueled by government deficits, AI investments, low unemployment rates, growing trade barriers and energy disruptions, is reshaping the landscape for markets, according to Fidelity International.

— Justina Lee, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
The low-molecular-weight collagen seeps into your skin as an in-office treatment would, reducing the size of pores and lifting saggy, crepey skin.

— Essence Wiley, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of low

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insufficiency

insufficient

insufficiently

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“Insufficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insufficient. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of insufficient

adjective

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