Something that is insufficient is not large enough in amount or degree for a particular purpose.
[formal]
He decided there was insufficient evidence to justify criminal proceedings.
These efforts were insufficient to contain the burgeoning crisis.
[Also + for]
Synonyms: inadequate, incomplete, scant, meagre More Synonyms of insufficient
insufficiency (ɪnsəfɪʃənsi)uncountable noun
Late miscarriages are usually not due to hormonal insufficiency.
Synonyms: shortage, lack, deficiency, want More Synonyms of insufficient
insufficientlyadverb [ADVERB adjective/-ed]
Food that is insufficiently cooked can lead to food poisoning.
insufficient in British English
(ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃənt)
adjective
not sufficient; inadequate or deficient
Derived forms
insufficiently (ˌinsufˈficiently)
adverb
insufficient in American English
(ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃənt)
adjective
not sufficient; not enough; inadequate
Derived forms
insufficiently (ˌinsufˈficiently)
adverb
Word origin
LL insufficiens
Examples of 'insufficient' in a sentence
insufficient
He was arrested but the case was dropped over insufficient evidence.
The Sun (2016)
Cops said there was insufficient evidence and the case was dropped in February.
The Sun (2016)
Although today's measures will be welcomed by campaigners, some will say that previous reviews have taken place and that insufficient funds are reaching mental health services.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Then the bank called saying there were insufficient funds to pay the mortgage.
The Sun (2008)
There was insufficient evidence to prove this.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
This is insufficient evidence to say much more than it has potential and further trials are required.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Surely the bank can bounce a cheque or a direct debit payment if there are insufficient funds.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
That it was insufficient proved no surprise.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The case was dropped because of insufficient evidence.
The Sun (2007)
She tried one more transaction and was told there were insufficient funds.
The Sun (2008)
Perhaps this narrow inquiry will prove to be insufficient.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
She is arrested a second time but released due to insufficient evidence.
The Sun (2013)
It failed to go through the first time as there were insufficient funds in my account.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Nor does he worry that sealing their letters with wax may prove an insufficient safeguard.
Linda Colley The Ordeal of Elizabeth Marsh: A Woman in World History (2007)
Recent reports suggested that the investigation was on the verge of collapse due to insufficient evidence.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
It said there was insufficient evidence to prove an offence.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It also urged governments to be ready to step in if monetary policy proved insufficient.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
They proved an insufficient defence for sterling so it became necessary to devise plans and calculations for devaluation.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
If the fund was insufficient to cover benefits, the employees suffered.
Charles A. D'Ambrosio & Stewart D. Hodges & Richard Brealey & Stewart Myers Principles of Corporate Finance (1991)
Yet the jury could not deliver a verdict on two other suspects, where evidence was insufficient.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Although this may be true in individual cases, there is insufficient research evidence to support this view.
Pearce, Dr John Families and Friends - how to help your child form happy relationships. (1989)
Now funds are simply insufficient.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The five doctors are at the head of concerns that there is insufficient medical evidence to support the view that the government weapons inspector killed himself.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They are dependent on central government for their funding; but that funding is insufficient to meet the needs of global competition.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The ensuing row led to a complaint to the local standards panel, which concluded there was insufficient evidence to justify a full investigation.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
insufficient
British English: insufficient /ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃənt/ ADJECTIVE
Something that is insufficient is not enough for a particular purpose.
There are insufficient funds to pay the debt.
American English: insufficient
Arabic: غَيْرُ كَافٍ
Brazilian Portuguese: insuficiente
Chinese: 不足的
Croatian: nedovoljan
Czech: nedostačující
Danish: utilstrækkelig
Dutch: onvoldoende
European Spanish: insuficiente
Finnish: riittämätön
French: insuffisant
German: ungenügend
Greek: ελλιπής
Italian: insufficiente
Japanese: 不十分な
Korean: 불충분한
Norwegian: utilstrekkelig
Polish: niedostateczny
European Portuguese: insuficiente
Romanian: insuficient
Russian: недостаточный
Latin American Spanish: insuficiente
Swedish: otillräcklig
Thai: ไม่เพียงพอ
Turkish: yetersiz
Ukrainian: недостатній
Vietnamese: không đủ
Chinese translation of 'insufficient'
insufficient
(ɪnsəˈfɪʃənt)
adj
[funds, evidence]不足的 (bùzú de)
(adjective)
Definition
not enough for a particular purpose
There was insufficient evidence to proceed.
Synonyms
inadequate
Supplies of food and medicine are inadequate.
incomplete
Some offices had incomplete information on spending.
scant
There is scant evidence of strong economic growth to come.
meagre
a meagre 3% pay rise
short
Money was short in those days.
sparse
Many slopes are rock fields with sparse vegetation.
deficient
a diet deficient in vitamins
lacking
Why was military intelligence so lacking?
unqualified
insubstantial
incommensurate
Opposites
enough
,
sufficient
,
adequate
,
ample
,
plentiful
,
commensurate
Additional synonyms
in the sense of deficient
Definition
lacking something essential
a diet deficient in vitamins
Synonyms
lacking,
wanting,
needing,
short,
inadequate,
insufficient,
scarce,
scant,
meagre,
skimpy,
scanty,
exiguous (formal)
in the sense of incommensurate
Definition
inadequate or disproportionate
Synonyms
disproportionate,
inadequate,
insufficient,
unequal,
inequitable
in the sense of incomplete
Definition
not finished or whole
Some offices had incomplete information on spending.