Insufficiency — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfi-shən(t)-sē/ in·suf·fi·cien·cy

Meaning & Definition of Insufficiency

Insufficiency (noun)

  1. the quality or state of being insufficient
  2. lack of mental or moral fitness, incompetence
  3. lack of adequate supply

Insufficiency (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number

    "dealt with the school's insufficiency of art supplies by buying materials out of her own pocket"

    similar: crunch, dearth, deficiency, deficit, drought, failure, famine, inadequacy, inadequateness, lack, lacuna, paucity, pinch, poverty, scantiness, scarceness, scarcity, shortage, undersupply, want
    related: absence, omission, meagerness, poorness, skimpiness, necessity, need, privation
    opposite: abundance, adequacy, amplitude, opulence, plenitude, plenty, sufficiency, wealth
    near: bountifulness, copiousness, excess, overabundance, oversupply, surfeit, surplus

  2. the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means

    "her alleged insufficiency for the job"

    similar: impotence, inability, inadequacy, incapability, incapacity, incompetence, incompetency, ineptitude, powerlessness
    related: disqualification, inaptitude, ineffectiveness, ineffectuality, ineffectualness, inefficaciousness, inefficacy, inefficiency
    opposite: ability, adequacy, capability, capacity, competence, competency, potency
    near: aptitude, bent, endowment, flair, genius, gift, knack, talent, effectiveness, effectualness, efficaciousness, efficiency, fitness, suitability, suitableness, potency, power, puissance, sinew, strength

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Insufficiency

The most common words with a similar meaning to Insufficiency:

crunch, dearth, deficiency, deficit, drought, failure, famine, inadequacy, inadequateness, lack, lacuna, paucity, pinch, poverty, scantiness, scarceness, scarcity, shortage, undersupply, want, impotence, inability, incapability, incapacity, incompetence, incompetency, ineptitude, powerlessness

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Insufficiency

Words with the opposite meaning of Insufficiency:

abundance, adequacy, amplitude, opulence, plenitude, plenty, sufficiency, wealth, ability, capability, capacity, competence, competency, potency

Related Words for Insufficiency

absence, omission, meagerness, poorness, skimpiness, necessity, need, privation, disqualification, inaptitude, ineffectiveness, ineffectuality, ineffectualness, inefficaciousness, inefficacy, inefficiency

Near Antonyms of Insufficiency

bountifulness, copiousness, excess, overabundance, oversupply, surfeit, surplus, aptitude, bent, endowment, flair, genius, gift, knack, talent, effectiveness, effectualness, efficaciousness, efficiency, fitness, suitability, suitableness, power, puissance, sinew, strength

Word Forms of Insufficiency

Inflections: insufficiencies

Origin & Etymology of Insufficiency

First known use: 1526

Words & Phrases Containing Insufficiency

chronic venous insufficiency

Frequently Asked Questions about Insufficiency

What does "Insufficiency" mean?

"Insufficiency" means the quality or state of being insufficient. As a noun, it is defined as: the quality or state of being insufficient. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Insufficiency"?

Other words for "Insufficiency" include crunch, dearth, deficiency, deficit, drought, failure, famine and inadequacy. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Insufficiency" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Insufficiency"?

There are 44 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Insufficiency". Common alternatives include crunch, dearth, deficiency, deficit, drought, failure, famine, inadequacy, inadequateness and lack.

What is the opposite of "Insufficiency"?

Antonyms of "Insufficiency" include abundance, adequacy, amplitude, opulence, plenitude, plenty, sufficiency and wealth. Near antonyms include bountifulness, copiousness, excess and overabundance.

How do you use "Insufficiency" in a sentence?

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".

Is "Insufficiency" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Insufficiency" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Insufficiency"?

"Insufficiency" is pronounced /ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfi-shən(t)-sē/ and divided into syllables as in·suf·fi·cien·cy.

What is the origin of the word "Insufficiency"?

First known use: 1526.