insufficient
adjective
in·suf·fi·cient
ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfi-shənt 
: not sufficient : inadequate
insufficient funds
especially
: lacking adequate power, capacity, or competence
insufficient bandwidth
insufficiently
adverb
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
Many problems contribute to these shifts—insufficient investments in infrastructure, budget cuts in state and local health departments, the growing drug resistance of bacteria.
—
Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026
City Manager Eric Taylor and other officials have expressed frustration over a lack of transparency, pointing out the city's limited police presence and insufficient water and sewer infrastructure.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
Despite the prevalence of these diseases, Geisler notes that two patients may share the same diagnosis yet arrive there through entirely different biological and lifestyle pathways, making generalized treatment insufficient.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
Some lawmakers are skeptical of the DOJ’s conclusion that there is insufficient evidence to charge anyone else with participating or helping Epstein commit his crimes.
—Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insufficient
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.
Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026
City Manager Eric Taylor and other officials have expressed frustration over a lack of transparency, pointing out the city's limited police presence and insufficient water and sewer infrastructure.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
Despite the prevalence of these diseases, Geisler notes that two patients may share the same diagnosis yet arrive there through entirely different biological and lifestyle pathways, making generalized treatment insufficient.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
Some lawmakers are skeptical of the DOJ’s conclusion that there is insufficient evidence to charge anyone else with participating or helping Epstein commit his crimes.
—Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insufficient
Cite this Entry
“Insufficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insufficient. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
insufficient
adjective
in·suf·fi·cient
ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfish-ənt
: not sufficient : inadequate
insufficiently
adverb
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
