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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inadequate
Full-scale fighting has since resumed, and the amount of food and medicine that remains in Gaza is woefully inadequate for the needs of its people.
—
Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 2 May 2025
The result of both inadequate support for new mothers and poor medical advice was that more and more mothers bottle-fed their babies cow’s milk.
— Made By History, Time, 29 Apr. 2025
Others wanted to send a balanced budget using the inadequate funds proposed, along with a resolution demanding more money.
—Josh Michtom, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2025
Extended exposure to drought conditions coupled with inadequate water intake has been linked to kidney stones, acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease.
—Katherine Ann James, The Conversation, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 2 May 2025
The result of both inadequate support for new mothers and poor medical advice was that more and more mothers bottle-fed their babies cow’s milk.
— Made By History, Time, 29 Apr. 2025
Others wanted to send a balanced budget using the inadequate funds proposed, along with a resolution demanding more money.
—Josh Michtom, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2025
Extended exposure to drought conditions coupled with inadequate water intake has been linked to kidney stones, acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease.
—Katherine Ann James, The Conversation, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadequate
Adjective
-
While there are examples of companies taking tangible steps to address water issues, action remains scattered and insufficient.—
Ken Katz,
Sourcing Journal,
5 May 2025
-
The union, which originally projected in late March that a strike might involve as many as 6,000 workers at 60 homes, has asked members over the last few weeks to empower union leaders to order a work stoppage — if leaders deem insufficient progress has occurred in negotiations.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
2 May 2025
Adjective
-
On the other hand, a practice of resource assessment and sharing, even when resources are scarce, would operate from an abundance mindset.—
Eric Crosby,
Artforum,
1 May 2025
-
In this tale, human detective Elijah Baley is drafted to solve the murder of a human on Solaria, an Outer Planet where humans are scarce and never mix with their peers.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
That high prices foretell lower prices rates more discussion as Republicans and conservatives rush to anoint former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh as the next Fed Chairman.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
-
That's why the ratings, the approval numbers of the media are so low.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inadequate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inadequate. Accessed 16 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share