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
Brydon Carse almost took a brilliant diving catch low to his left off Archer when Carey was on 52 and the 34-year-old later survived another incident that further exposed the inadequacies of some of the technology being used in this Ashes.
—
Paul Newman, New York Times, 17 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
The offense flashed some real moments of competency, but also some real rookie-mistake inadequacies.
—Nick Suss, Nashville Tennessean, 15 Dec. 2025
Analysts fear that last week’s abductions and the response through school closures underscore serious inadequacies in the strength of the Nigerian state and its anti-terrorism ambition and approach.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inadequacy
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Paul Newman, New York Times, 17 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
The offense flashed some real moments of competency, but also some real rookie-mistake inadequacies.
—Nick Suss, Nashville Tennessean, 15 Dec. 2025
Analysts fear that last week’s abductions and the response through school closures underscore serious inadequacies in the strength of the Nigerian state and its anti-terrorism ambition and approach.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 24 Nov. 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 27 Dec. 2025.
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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