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
In other words, a complaint that accuses the defendant of acting with actual malice but doesn’t explain how the defendant acted with actual malice is insufficient.
—
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 10 July 2025
The Cal Poly Police Department investigated the vandalism, but the case is not moving forward because of insufficient evidence, according to university spokesperson Matt Lazier.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 8 July 2025
When groups grow big, however, face-to-face interactions become insufficient.
—Yasmin Green, Foreign Affairs, 7 July 2025
But the data remains woefully insufficient to conclude what long-term exposure means for individuals, especially for vulnerable groups such as children or those with respiratory problems.
—Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for insufficient
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 10 July 2025
The Cal Poly Police Department investigated the vandalism, but the case is not moving forward because of insufficient evidence, according to university spokesperson Matt Lazier.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 8 July 2025
When groups grow big, however, face-to-face interactions become insufficient.
—Yasmin Green, Foreign Affairs, 7 July 2025
But the data remains woefully insufficient to conclude what long-term exposure means for individuals, especially for vulnerable groups such as children or those with respiratory problems.
—Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for insufficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insufficient
Adjective
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However, nearly half still reported inadequate resources and technology for combating financial crime.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
21 July 2025
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Inspectors noted that the establishment was under construction at the time and had inadequate refrigeration.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 July 2025
Adjective
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While specific details of his early childhood are scarce, Weller came of age during a time when distilling was a booming regional industry, often run by farmers and small-business operators who combined their agricultural production with whiskey making.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
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Details after paramedics whisked Valdes away are scarce, her friend says, as no one was allowed to ride with her to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center, where she was later pronounced dead.—
Isabel Rivera,
Miami Herald,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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Europe’s Stoxx 600 index closed 0.06% lower on Monday, after shaving off losses late in the day to finish at a session high.—
Chloe Taylor,Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
15 July 2025
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In the United States, a measles outbreak that originated in a part of West Texas that has a low vaccination rate continues to spread, and there have been more measles cases reported in the US this year than any other since the disease was declared eliminated a quarter-century ago.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN Money,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Insufficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insufficient. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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