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 Israelis are divided about how to respond to the government's obtuse lack of compassion and inadequacy. TIME, 12 Oct. 2023 Stop looking at your physical features as inadequacies or flaws, Holt and Christensen said. Emma Fox, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2023 That feeling of inadequacy is compounded in Season 2, when their mom, Pat, played by Molly Shannon, becomes a daytime TV star not unlike Ellen DeGeneres. Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 15 June 2023 These moments—feelings of inadequacy as a new mother; of severe anxiety to the point that no one else could hold her child—are all common signs of postpartum depression that, again, so often go overlooked. Jessica Zucker, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2023 This is hard stuff because all of us have demons, doubts, damages, perceived inadequacies, losses and failures (real or imagined). Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2023 Her journals are filled with comments about the inadequacies of her wardrobe. Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2023 The study, conducted by Study.com, found that 47% of teachers felt feelings of guilt or inadequacy over not being able to spend more on their students. James Powel, USA TODAY, 26 Aug. 2023 One goal is to enhance programming by involving community members, ranging from advocates to barbers, to address systemic gaps, such as inadequacies in reporting Latino suicides and connecting families to helpful services, according to a Massachusetts Department of Health spokesperson. Anna Guaracao, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Aug. 2023 See More

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 4 Dec. 2023.

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

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