insufficient

adjective

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

Synonyms of insufficient

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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.
Food distribution was insufficient, and the nearest water spigots were almost half a mile away. — Ben Taub, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 But technical factors seem insufficient to account for a shift of such magnitude in a $40 trillion market. — George Calhoun, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026 Simply possessing clinical and tactical skills is insufficient. — Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026 The district attorney's office argued Mangione's August admission in federal court is insufficient to preclude a state trial because stalking and murder are two different crimes. — ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026 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

Rhymes for insufficient

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Browse Nearby Words

insufficiency
insufficient
insufflate
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Cite this Entry

“Insufficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insufficient. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

insufficient

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