insufficient

[ in-suh-fish-uhnt ]

adjective

1. not sufficient; lacking in what is necessary or required:

   an insufficient answer.

   Synonyms: deficient, scanty, inadequate

2. deficient in force, quality, or amount; inadequate:

   insufficient protection.

insufficient

/ ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃənt /

adjective

1. not sufficient; inadequate or deficient

Derived Forms

• ˌinsufˈficiently, adverb

Other Words From

• insuf·ficient·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of insufficient¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Late Latin insufficient-, stem of insufficiēns; equivalent to in- ³ + sufficient

Example Sentences

Suspending Ms Robinson from the nursing register for a year, the panel said while she had "provided evidence of developing insight, remorse and reflection", there remained "insufficient evidence of full remediation".

From BBC

The anti-woke attitude may be what appealed most to Trump, who wants to fire generals who display insufficient loyalty to him.

From Slate

Mbonambi denied the accusation, saying he had used an Afrikaans phrase that had been misconstrued, and World Rugby decided there was insufficient evidence to charge him.

From BBC

They recognized actual social change as extending beyond the idea of temperance, which they saw as a necessary but insufficient condition for improving the U.S. social order during the mid-19th century.

From Salon

But when the pilot attempted to prepare for takeoff, the right engine would not start because of insufficient battery power, according to the report.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• deficient
• faulty
• inadequate
• incomplete
• meager
• poor
• scant
• scarce
• unsatisfactory