inadequacy

noun

in·​ad·​e·​qua·​cy (ˌ)i-ˈna-di-kwə-sē How to pronounce inadequacy (audio)
plural inadequacies
1
: the quality or state of being inadequate
2

Examples of inadequacy in a Sentence

the inadequacy of our servings was soon apparent, as hungry guests started clamoring for seconds tried to blame others in order to hide the inadequacy of his leadership
Recent Examples on the Web Of those, 982 were identified as contaminated with PFAS compounds, with 299 having detections of total PFAS over 70 parts per trillion, the EPA's previous lifetime health advisory level set in 2016 that's now being reconsidered due to its inadequacy to protect public health. Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press, 4 Mar. 2024 The pandemic has served as a stark reminder of the inadequacy of previous leadership models, pushing leaders to confront and mitigate team anxieties associated with the shift to hybrid or fully remote models. Eddy Vertil, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 Other physicians emphasized the current inadequacies in American mental-health care as a reason any futility judgment would be ethically tenuous. Katie Engelhart, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2024 Scorsese’s appeal, too, lies in his not being a genius, the peaks that his movies scale so effortlessly despite their inadequacies. Hazlitt, 7 Feb. 2024 David Ely, San Diego State University YES: Recent heavy rains have exposed the inadequacies of the existing infrastructure to protect residents from harm during floods. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Feb. 2024 Thomas’ continuation on the court is evidence of the guidelines’ inadequacy. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 10 Jan. 2024 In the meantime, his behavior is a reflection of his inadequacies or insecurities, not yours. Roxane Gay, New York Times, 22 Dec. 2023 North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University professor Jelani Favors argued that the funding inadequacy has been holding Black Americans back since the 19th century. Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 12 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inadequacy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1787, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of inadequacy was in 1787

Dictionary Entries Near inadequacy

Cite this Entry

“Inadequacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inadequacy. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

inadequacy

noun
in·​ad·​e·​qua·​cy (ˈ)in-ˈad-i-kwə-sē How to pronounce inadequacy (audio)
plural inadequacies
1
: the quality or state of being inadequate
2
a
: an inadequate amount
b
: a failure to meet expectations
feelings of inadequacy
aware of my own inadequacies

Medical Definition

inadequacy

noun
in·​ad·​e·​qua·​cy (ˈ)in-ˈad-i-kwə-sē How to pronounce inadequacy (audio)
plural inadequacies
: the quality or state of being inadequate

More from Merriam-Webster on inadequacy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!