insufficiency
noun
in·suf·fi·cien·cy
ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfi-shən(t)-sē 
plural insufficiencies
1
: the quality or state of being insufficient: such as
a
: lack of mental or moral fitness : incompetence
the insufficiency of this person for public office
b
: lack of adequate supply
insufficiency of provisions
c
: lack of physical power or capacity
especially
: inability of an organ or body part to function normally
renal insufficiency
2
: something that is insufficient or falls short of expectations
Synonyms
Examples of insufficiency in a Sentence
dealt with the school's insufficiency of art supplies by buying materials out of her own pocket
her alleged insufficiency for the job
Recent Examples on the Web
The religious insufficiency became more apparent post-independence in events such as the secession of Bangladesh in 1971 where Muslims, who were in majority, were treated poorly by the Punjabi central government and denied their rights to co-exist as Muslim and Bengali.
—
Nahal Sheikh, JSTOR Daily, 15 May 2024
An endocrinologist at Boston University's medical school, Holick says that the insufficiency standard is justified by an observational study from 2010.
—Christie Aschwanden, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2024
In more extreme cases, hypercalcemia (high serum calcium) or hypercalciuria (high urine calcium) can cause poor muscle tone, renal insufficiency, weight loss, fatigue, polyuria, heart arrhythmias, and a higher risk of heart disease.
—Casey Seiden, Parents, 30 May 2024
Each was determined to be a hearsay report based on secondhand information, meaning there was not enough information to confirm a diagnosis of primary ovarian insufficiency (POI).
—Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 8 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for insufficiency 
Nahal Sheikh, JSTOR Daily, 15 May 2024
An endocrinologist at Boston University's medical school, Holick says that the insufficiency standard is justified by an observational study from 2010.
—Christie Aschwanden, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2024
In more extreme cases, hypercalcemia (high serum calcium) or hypercalciuria (high urine calcium) can cause poor muscle tone, renal insufficiency, weight loss, fatigue, polyuria, heart arrhythmias, and a higher risk of heart disease.
—Casey Seiden, Parents, 30 May 2024
Each was determined to be a hearsay report based on secondhand information, meaning there was not enough information to confirm a diagnosis of primary ovarian insufficiency (POI).
—Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 8 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for insufficiency
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'insufficiency.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near insufficiency
Cite this Entry
“Insufficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insufficiency. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
insufficiency
noun
in·suf·fi·cien·cy
ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfish-ən-sē
plural insufficiencies
1
: the quality or state of being insufficient
2
: a lack of something : deficiency
Medical Definition
insufficiency
noun
in·suf·fi·cien·cy
ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfish-ən-sē
plural insufficiencies
: the quality or state of not being sufficient: as
a
: lack of adequate supply of something
an insufficiency of vitamins
b
: lack of physical power or capacity
especially
: inability of an organ or bodily part to function normally
renal insufficiency
pulmonary insufficiency
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share