inadequacy
noun
in·ad·e·qua·cy
(ˌ)i-ˈna-di-kwə-sē 
plural inadequacies
1
: the quality or state of being inadequate
2
Synonyms
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
But the anxiety and the feeling of inadequacy were gone.
—
Clarissa Wei, The New Yorker, 23 Mar. 2024
Her friend and admirer Will Downing (Alex Sharp, in a devastating performance), convinced of his inadequacy as a researcher, settles for teaching high school.
—Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024
The disaster forced the Dutch government to confront the inadequacy of its aging dike system.
—Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
In 2021, the former Hualapai Tribe Chairman, Damon R. Clarke, wrote to the BLM regarding the inadequacies of its Environmental Assessment.
—Trilce Estrada Olvera, The Arizona Republic, 25 Mar. 2024
Such feelings of inadequacy are common among people who are doubling up.
—Aidan Gardiner, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024
Kerr has been nagged ever since by the inadequacy of science, and of language, to fully capture the mysteries of the mind.
—Phoebe Zerwick, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024
This stark inequity highlights the inadequacy of current prevention efforts in effectively reaching and addressing the specific needs of Black women.
—Larada Lee, Essence, 9 Mar. 2024
Witnessing their achievements has, at times, created a sense of inadequacy about my own life.
—Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024
Clarissa Wei, The New Yorker, 23 Mar. 2024
Her friend and admirer Will Downing (Alex Sharp, in a devastating performance), convinced of his inadequacy as a researcher, settles for teaching high school.
—Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024
The disaster forced the Dutch government to confront the inadequacy of its aging dike system.
—Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
In 2021, the former Hualapai Tribe Chairman, Damon R. Clarke, wrote to the BLM regarding the inadequacies of its Environmental Assessment.
—Trilce Estrada Olvera, The Arizona Republic, 25 Mar. 2024
Such feelings of inadequacy are common among people who are doubling up.
—Aidan Gardiner, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024
Kerr has been nagged ever since by the inadequacy of science, and of language, to fully capture the mysteries of the mind.
—Phoebe Zerwick, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024
This stark inequity highlights the inadequacy of current prevention efforts in effectively reaching and addressing the specific needs of Black women.
—Larada Lee, Essence, 9 Mar. 2024
Witnessing their achievements has, at times, created a sense of inadequacy about my own life.
—Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024
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.
Dictionary Entries Near inadequacy
Cite this Entry
“Inadequacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inadequacy. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
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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