inadequacy
noun
in·ad·e·qua·cy
(ˌ)i-ˈna-di-kwə-sē 
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
Yet fortunes have turned more recently, with on-field inadequacies slowly but surely eating into off-field resources.
—
Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
If all of this were a subtle read of the American mainstream media’s inadequacy in covering Palestine with any amount of empathy, or its eagerness to bang the drum in support of America’s war games, that would be an unexpected, refreshingly subversive perspective.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Undermining international diplomacy in these ways creates a self-fulfilling prophecy of defensiveness and inadequacy.
—David Miliband, Time, 22 Sep. 2025
One partner’s growth and clarity and the other’s sense of stagnation may evoke comparison, inadequacy or shame.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inadequacy
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Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
If all of this were a subtle read of the American mainstream media’s inadequacy in covering Palestine with any amount of empathy, or its eagerness to bang the drum in support of America’s war games, that would be an unexpected, refreshingly subversive perspective.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Undermining international diplomacy in these ways creates a self-fulfilling prophecy of defensiveness and inadequacy.
—David Miliband, Time, 22 Sep. 2025
One partner’s growth and clarity and the other’s sense of stagnation may evoke comparison, inadequacy or shame.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 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 17 Oct. 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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