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
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
Just as the agonies and inadequacies of the meal itself are necessary steps toward the glorious leftovers to come, to me the bird is simply a prerequisite for its bones.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
The county said construction for the park would not take place within 200 feet of roosting sites for the bat, but provided no evidence to support that as a proper buffer, adding another inadequacy to the environmental review, Bacal said.
—Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Nov. 2025
The 2024 three-part docuseries American Nightmare dives headfirst into several thought-provoking issues, like victim blaming and the glaring inadequacies in the criminal justice system.
—James Mercadante, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inadequacy
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Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 24 Nov. 2025
Just as the agonies and inadequacies of the meal itself are necessary steps toward the glorious leftovers to come, to me the bird is simply a prerequisite for its bones.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
The county said construction for the park would not take place within 200 feet of roosting sites for the bat, but provided no evidence to support that as a proper buffer, adding another inadequacy to the environmental review, Bacal said.
—Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Nov. 2025
The 2024 three-part docuseries American Nightmare dives headfirst into several thought-provoking issues, like victim blaming and the glaring inadequacies in the criminal justice system.
—James Mercadante, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 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 8 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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