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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Recent Examples of insufficient
Even more unfortunately, asking people who develop flu-like symptoms to isolate is insufficient because those who are infected with the flu can spread it a day prior to symptom onset.
—
Paul Friedrichs, STAT, 23 Apr. 2026
Around the world, the promise of community radio remains precarious due to hostile legislation, authoritarian regimes, unfavorable regulatory environments, financial hurdles, and insufficient volunteerism.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
During Gaines' trial, a judge dismissed the gun charge for insufficient evidence.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
The case went to trial in 2005, and Jackson was ultimately acquitted on all counts, with jurors citing insufficient evidence.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insufficient
Paul Friedrichs, STAT, 23 Apr. 2026
Around the world, the promise of community radio remains precarious due to hostile legislation, authoritarian regimes, unfavorable regulatory environments, financial hurdles, and insufficient volunteerism.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
During Gaines' trial, a judge dismissed the gun charge for insufficient evidence.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
The case went to trial in 2005, and Jackson was ultimately acquitted on all counts, with jurors citing insufficient evidence.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insufficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insufficient
Adjective
-
The detainees—from Pakistan, India, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Myanmar and eight other nations—were found in restricted compounds, some lacking passports or proper immigration documentation.—
Rodney Muhumuza,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
If your yard is a bit lacking in colorful birds, adding a feeder can help attract all sorts of them.—
Brittany VanDerBill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Current funding levels are inadequate and prevent the critical expansion needed to close that child care gap.—
Pamela Campos,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The father of a Deer Path Middle School student said his sixth-grade son was attacked by other students earlier this month and is criticizing Lake Forest District 67’s initial response as inadequate.—
Daniel I. Dorfman,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The sharp debate in Union Park is only the latest in a series of thorny confrontations about how best to manage homelessness in the Central Florida region, where housing costs are high, shelter space is scarce, and residents are concerned about people living in public spaces.—
Ryan Gillespie,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
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As costs of both real estate and farming continue to rise, many parcels are vanishing without notice, making wine made from old vines increasingly scarce, especially in Napa.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The group, originally signed to RCA Records, released two albums of bustling synth pop and opened for Harry Styles in the late twenty-tens but was cast off in the early days of the pandemic owing to low sales.—
Dan Stahl,
New Yorker,
1 May 2026
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Senators Chris Murphy and Ruben Gallego have spoken publicly about wanting to pursue this, and Bedoya notes that there’s precedent for this action, citing Democrats’ recent introduction of a bill to break up the meatpacking industry to create lower prices for consumers.—
Hershal Pandya,
Vulture,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Insufficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insufficient. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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