as in lacking
not coming up to an expected measure or meeting a particular need
an inadequate amount of food on hand for so many unexpected guests
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inadequate
In interviews with The Courier Journal, current and former BlueOval SK employees said the plant's policies for personal protective equipment, or PPE, were inadequate for settings with highly toxic chemicals and heavy metals.
—
Olivia Evans, The Courier-Journal, 21 Aug. 2025
Soares finds tech firms’ current safety mitigations wholly inadequate.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2025
This follows numerous prisoners taking part in hunger strikes last month to protest inadequate medical care, poor food and lockdowns.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 21 Aug. 2025
Other Kerr County officials testified that an inadequate flash-flood warning system upstream contributed to the disaster.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Olivia Evans, The Courier-Journal, 21 Aug. 2025
Soares finds tech firms’ current safety mitigations wholly inadequate.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2025
This follows numerous prisoners taking part in hunger strikes last month to protest inadequate medical care, poor food and lockdowns.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 21 Aug. 2025
Other Kerr County officials testified that an inadequate flash-flood warning system upstream contributed to the disaster.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadequate
Adjective
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That is not to say that his coverage abilities are in any way lacking, but the Jaguars might see more value in Hunter catching passes to start.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
-
It can be used to crudely express boredom, annoyance or to signal that something is self-indulgent or lacking purpose.—
Sofi Zeman
August 8,
Kansas City Star,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
According to El Financiero, three men who worked at a mechanic shop — where the vehicle containing the bodies was abandoned — were arrested, though they were released because there was insufficient evidence to connect them to the crime.—
Luke Chinman,
People.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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In other words, a one-time catch is insufficient.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The insights were gained from a climate station on Tajikistan’s Kyzylsu Glacier, a region where observational data has been scarce since the Soviet Union fell.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Sep. 2025
-
If rainfall is scarce, they should be watered deeply every 7 to 10 days.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Avoid puddles - Driving into puddles or low rainwater areas can lead to vehicles hydroplaning or losing control.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Aug. 2025
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He was fooled on a changeup low and out of the zone, extending his current slump to 1-for-25.—
Chris Kirschner,
New York Times,
23 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inadequate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inadequate. Accessed 6 Sep. 2025.
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