sufficiency

noun

suf·​fi·​cien·​cy sə-ˈfi-shən(t)-sē How to pronounce sufficiency (audio)
plural sufficiencies
Synonyms of sufficiencynext
1
: sufficient means to meet one's needs : competency
also : a modest but adequate scale of living
2
: the quality or state of being sufficient : adequacy

Examples of sufficiency in a Sentence

the sufficiency of the portions is such that you will leave the restaurant with a full stomach but without doggie bags
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.
To issue an Amber Alert, law enforcement must determine that specific statutory conditions are met, including the age of the child, law enforcement’s belief in imminent danger of serious injury or death, and the sufficiency of existing information to assist in recovery. Itay Ravid, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2026 The sufficiency of disapproval to derail Trump’s primary immigration enforcement serves as further damning evidence against the companies and entities that so easily and so quickly capitulated to Trump last year. Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026 When reached for comment, the Midway Rising development team did not address the letter or the sufficiency of the project’s environmental analysis. Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026 The City Clerk is still required to review the petition and determine the sufficiency of the petition, as is dictated by Wisconsin statutes, the city wrote in its post. Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 16 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sufficiency

Word History

Etymology

earlier sufficience in same sense (going back to Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Late Latin sufficientia, from Latin sufficient-, sufficiens sufficient + -ia -ia entry 1) + -ency

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sufficiency was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sufficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sufficiency. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

sufficiency

noun
suf·​fi·​cien·​cy sə-ˈfish-ən-sē How to pronounce sufficiency (audio)
plural sufficiencies
1
: sufficient means to meet one's needs
2
: the quality or state of being sufficient : adequacy

Legal Definition

sufficiency

noun
suf·​fi·​cien·​cy
: the quality or state of being sufficient
the sufficiency of the evidence to convict
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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