1
as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
dealt with the school's insufficiency of art supplies by buying materials out of her own pocket
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inability
the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means
her alleged insufficiency for the job
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of insufficiency
But there’s another common culprit that most women don’t think about—vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency.
—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
24 Apr. 2026
Adrenal insufficiency, meanwhile, occurs when the adrenal glands don't produce enough of the hormone cortisol, which helps regulate metabolism, blood pressure and immune function.
—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
5 Apr. 2026
Before games, a sense of insufficiency flooded the 12-year-old.
—
Gail Cornwall,
Time,
3 Apr. 2026
Placental insufficiency, in which the organ fails to develop or function properly, is a leading cause of spontaneous preterm birth, experts say.
—
Sandee Lamotte,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insufficiency
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
24 Apr. 2026
Adrenal insufficiency, meanwhile, occurs when the adrenal glands don't produce enough of the hormone cortisol, which helps regulate metabolism, blood pressure and immune function.
—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
5 Apr. 2026
Before games, a sense of insufficiency flooded the 12-year-old.
—
Gail Cornwall,
Time,
3 Apr. 2026
Placental insufficiency, in which the organ fails to develop or function properly, is a leading cause of spontaneous preterm birth, experts say.
—
Sandee Lamotte,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insufficiency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insufficiency
Noun
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The divergence is over whether the worker shortage is improving slowly or still getting worse, and what the Supreme Court should do about it.
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Lights had been switched off to conserve electricity amid fuel shortages that have gripped Cuba since the beginning of the year.
Noun
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This move follows a successful loan spell at Monaco and his inability to impress new coach Hansi Flick.
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The ripple effect of food insecurity around the world from Ukraine’s inability to ship its normally massive grain crops.
Noun
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Keli Gonzalez, a painter the museum commissioned, became frustrated by the lack of female representation.
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The lack of a World Cup title is the one gap on his historic résumé.
Noun
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The Lakers spent the first days of free agency addressing their shooting deficiencies.
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Interveinal chlorosis and yellowing in new leaves can indicate an iron deficiency.
Cite this Entry
“Insufficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insufficiency. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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