insufficient
Americanadjective
-
not sufficient; lacking in what is necessary or required.
an insufficient answer.
- Synonyms:
- deficient, scanty, inadequate
-
deficient in force, quality, or amount; inadequate.
insufficient protection.
adjective
Other Word Forms
- insufficiently adverb
Etymology
Origin of insufficient
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Late Latin insufficient-, stem of insufficiēns; equivalent to in- 3 + sufficient
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A legion of zombie companies—those whose revenue is insufficient to cover debt repayment and that are sustained only by forbearance from lenders—have long been a drain on Japan’s economy.
Some software companies acknowledge that current defenses against these attacks are insufficient.
From Barron's
Some software companies acknowledge that current defenses against these attacks are insufficient.
From Barron's
"This did not recommend routine use due to insufficient cost-effectiveness data," a spokesperson said.
From BBC
Judge Edward Burgess KC directed the jury at Bristol Crown Court earlier to return not guilty verdicts due to insufficient evidence in what he called a "difficult, incredibly sad and tragic case".
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
