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 of inadequate

• 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

Watching a lot of it can prime a brain to expect frequent and explosive bursts of excitement, which can make longer and more deeply engaging forms of media feel boring and inadequate, Gupta said. —Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 27 Dec. 2025

In addition to Murton's denunciations of conditions at Cummins and Tucker, his book explores the woefully inadequate women's prison, located on the same grounds as Cummins. —Arkansas Online, 27 Dec. 2025

Around 300 protesters gathered outside Niigata’s assembly, and surveys indicate 60 percent of residents feel conditions for restarting are inadequate, while nearly 70 percent worry about TEPCO’s management. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 23 Dec. 2025

This plan alone, however, has thus far proved inadequate for the scale of Germany’s economic problems. —Sudha David-Wilp, Foreign Affairs, 23 Dec. 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