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

Other Word Forms

• insufficiently 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

If binding is too weak, the transport signal is insufficient.

Read more on Science Daily

In his testimony, Mohammed said meals in the prison are “extremely insufficient,” going on to describe meager rations with “tiny pieces of bread” and “undercooked, dry rice.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

These medications have been found to reduce symptoms by an average of 1.25 points on the 56-point anxiety scale -- insufficient to make significant difference for at least some patients.

Read more on Science Daily

Judges on the constitutional council dismissed eight petitions, citing insufficient evidence of irregularities or a lack of jurisdiction to annul results.

Read more on BBC

That number would grow over time but was still insufficient for the many players who were able to collect.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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