as in lacking
not coming up to an expected measure or meeting a particular need
an inadequate amount of food on hand for so many unexpected guests
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inadequate
The city's police force is understaffed and its public safety apparatus is inadequate to deliver justice, with too little jail space and too few prosecutors and judges to move cases through the courts.
—
Cleve R. Wootson Jr. The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 25 Mar. 2026
His report also noted that Ahmad had been complaining to the prison about inadequate food for months, citing reports from the prison medical clinic.
—ABC News, 25 Mar. 2026
The stockpiles of advanced munitions (particularly interceptor missiles) are radically inadequate and will remain so for some time.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
Research shows many runners already under-consume carbs, with amateurs—who often lack sports‑nutrition guidance—being especially prone to inadequate intake.
—Outside, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Cleve R. Wootson Jr. The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 25 Mar. 2026
His report also noted that Ahmad had been complaining to the prison about inadequate food for months, citing reports from the prison medical clinic.
—ABC News, 25 Mar. 2026
The stockpiles of advanced munitions (particularly interceptor missiles) are radically inadequate and will remain so for some time.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
Research shows many runners already under-consume carbs, with amateurs—who often lack sports‑nutrition guidance—being especially prone to inadequate intake.
—Outside, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadequate
Adjective
-
Loro Parque, a zoo on the island of Tenerife, offers a clean and safe environment, expert care and proper mental and social stimulation that Wikie and Keijo are desperately lacking.—
Valerie Greene,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Financial vulnerability in Cook County has declined modestly since 2022, with fewer households reporting having less than a week of savings and fewer lacking confidence in reaching long-term goals.—
Jennifer Tescher,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Instead, prosecutors have pointed to sanctions policy and national security concerns — arguments the defense calls both insufficient and inconsistent.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
20 Mar. 2026
-
At a 2022 civil trial in Manhattan federal court, a jury found insufficient evidence to hold Spacey liable for Rapp’s claims.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Contrary to what their name suggests, rare earths are not actually scarce in nature.—
Brit McCandless Farmer,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Oil prices would continue to soar, while fertilizer, generic drugs, helium and other products dependent on the strait would grow scarce, squeezing the American economy and world economy alike.—
Nicholas D. Kristof,
Mercury News,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Customers in Upper Chichester, Lower Chichester, Marcus Hook and Twin Oaks, might experience low to no water pressure as the main break affects the area.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
While the data show overall birth outcomes improving — declining rates of prematurity, low birth weight, and infant mortality — disparities are still prevalent, particularly for Black women.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inadequate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inadequate. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
