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
One of the allegations was later dismissed due to insufficient evidence.
—
Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
Consumers have concerns about insufficient and unreliable charging stations, battery range and quality, and high prices for EVs.
—Francine Kiefer, Christian Science Monitor, 2 June 2025
Labor advocates say the strikers’ benefits bill is a necessary counter to the advantages most employers have at the bargaining table, especially since the Trump administration has left the National Labor Relations Board with insufficient members to act and shrunk the ranks of labor mediators.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 31 May 2025
The measure previously failed to pass a procedural hurdle due to insufficient Democratic support.
—Owen Tedford, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for insufficient
Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
Consumers have concerns about insufficient and unreliable charging stations, battery range and quality, and high prices for EVs.
—Francine Kiefer, Christian Science Monitor, 2 June 2025
Labor advocates say the strikers’ benefits bill is a necessary counter to the advantages most employers have at the bargaining table, especially since the Trump administration has left the National Labor Relations Board with insufficient members to act and shrunk the ranks of labor mediators.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 31 May 2025
The measure previously failed to pass a procedural hurdle due to insufficient Democratic support.
—Owen Tedford, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for insufficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insufficient
Adjective
-
And for many, forgiveness might seem an inadequate response, given available options like anger, bitterness, hatred, revenge, retribution.—
Kevin Sack,
Time,
3 June 2025
-
Last December, a tiff erupted between billionaire entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, on the one side, and MAGA champions including Steve Bannon, over the formers’ claims that H-1B workers are needed because the homegrown tech workforce is inadequate.—
Alec MacGillis,
ProPublica,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
That's key in a country where good-paying jobs are scarce.—
Omkar Khandekar,
NPR,
8 June 2025
-
Yet with the old rail factory at Qadam station in disrepair, the know-how to forge, repair, and maintain Ottoman rail is scarce.—
Taylor Luck,
Christian Science Monitor,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
But the three-time Oscar winner makes the most out of every line reading, not by going big (a near impossibility in an Anderson movie) but by setting Felicity’s fears and annoyances to a very low simmer.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
12 June 2025
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Steer clear of puddles - Driving into puddles or low areas of rainwater can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Insufficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insufficient. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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