inadequate

adjective

in·​ad·​e·​quate (ˌ)i-ˈna-di-kwət 

: not adequate : not enough or good enough : insufficient

inadequate equipment

also : not capable

was inadequate as a leader

inadequately adverb

inadequateness noun

Synonyms

• lacking
• insufficient
• scarce
• low

Examples of inadequate in a Sentence

These supplies are inadequate to meet our needs.

We were given very inadequate information.

I felt inadequate to the task.

Her brother's success and popularity always made her feel inadequate.

Recent Examples on the Web

Levee failures left New Orleans underwater One of the defining catastrophic failures that defined the devastation of Hurricane Katrina came when the storm overtook the city’s inadequate system of levees and floodwalls. —Avalon Hester, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025

Yet disclosure and mitigation remain inadequate, leaving investors unable to distinguish between companies managing exposure and those at risk. —Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025

Engineering forces from the IDF's Gaza Division had placed concrete blocks to protect the road to Kibbutz Nahal Oz from anti-tank missile fire—a precaution that would soon prove tragically inadequate as, the next day, October 7, terrorists simply hopped over the blocks with amazing ease. —Yaakov Katz, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025

Much of that, according to the report, stems from a medical culture that expects doctors to work around the clock, respond to human suffering with stoicism, perfect their duties, and normalize burnout and inadequate self-care. —Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 26 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1671, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for inadequate

• adequate

Kids Definition

inadequate

adjective

in·​ad·​e·​quate (ˈ)in-ˈad-i-kwət 

: not adequate : not enough or not good enough

an inadequate supply of food

inadequately adverb

Medical Definition

inadequate

1 of 2 adjective

in·​ad·​e·​quate -i-kwət 

1

: not adequate : deficient

an inadequate dose

inadequate perfusion

inadequate diets

2

: lacking the capacity for psychological maturity or adequate social adjustment

an inadequate personality

inadequately adverb

inadequate

2 of 2 noun

: one who is inadequate especially in terms of social adjustment