inadequacy
noun
in·ad·e·qua·cy
(ˌ)i-ˈna-di-kwə-sē 
plural inadequacies
1
: the quality or state of being inadequate
the inadequacy of the response
2
: insufficiency, deficiency
I'm aware of my inadequacies as a parent.
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
Anyone who drives around the Los Angeles basin understands the inadequacy of the freeway system.
—
Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026
Yet fortunes have turned more recently, with on-field inadequacies slowly but surely eating into off-field resources.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Oddly, despite his inadequacies, the Sad Art Dad suggests a promising cultural shift on-screen.
—Susie Goldsbrough, The Atlantic, 28 Dec. 2025
Sigourney Weaver’s Kiri (a teenage Na’vi with mysterious powers, born from the dead body of a human character in the fi — oh never mind) learns more about her origins and begins to feel a deep sense of inadequacy.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inadequacy
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Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026
Yet fortunes have turned more recently, with on-field inadequacies slowly but surely eating into off-field resources.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Oddly, despite his inadequacies, the Sad Art Dad suggests a promising cultural shift on-screen.
—Susie Goldsbrough, The Atlantic, 28 Dec. 2025
Sigourney Weaver’s Kiri (a teenage Na’vi with mysterious powers, born from the dead body of a human character in the fi — oh never mind) learns more about her origins and begins to feel a deep sense of inadequacy.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inadequacy
Cite this Entry
“Inadequacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inadequacy. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inadequacy
noun
in·ad·e·qua·cy
(ˈ)in-ˈad-i-kwə-sē
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
plural inadequacies
: the quality or state of being inadequate
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