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
Fruits with uneven or inadequate water turn bitter and hollow.
—
Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 12 May 2026
Residents argued the environmental review was inadequate, and a judge agreed.
—Tony Aiello, CBS News, 12 May 2026
If oral supplementation is inadequate, intravenous iron supplementation can be an alternative.
—Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 12 May 2026
Advocates point to insufficient oversight and inadequate funding as systemic problems, while increased pet surrenders during economic downturns strain already overwhelmed rescues and shelters.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 12 May 2026
Residents argued the environmental review was inadequate, and a judge agreed.
—Tony Aiello, CBS News, 12 May 2026
If oral supplementation is inadequate, intravenous iron supplementation can be an alternative.
—Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 12 May 2026
Advocates point to insufficient oversight and inadequate funding as systemic problems, while increased pet surrenders during economic downturns strain already overwhelmed rescues and shelters.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadequate
Adjective
-
Not just any type of bus, but a marshrutka—a crowded, rumbling, claustrophobic Soviet holdover minibus, solidly built with steel girding and equally lacking in shock absorbers and seat padding.—
Irene Zabytko
May 7,
Literary Hub,
7 May 2026
-
So many young players come up the ranks lacking game management.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
The city’s leaders worry about the facility's insufficient infrastructure, while Senator Warnock remains opposed to the administration’s aggressive deportation policies.—
Lautaro Grinspan,
AJC.com,
15 May 2026
-
The Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office and the Draper City Prosecutor both declined to file charges against Paul in April, citing insufficient evidence to prove allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
Her time with him looked scarce.—
Sydney Lupkin,
NPR,
10 May 2026
-
Because in a market like Orange County, where land is scarce and regulation is tight, the highest and best use is not always the newest building or the most polished project.—
Allen Buchanan,
Oc Register,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
This is especially important for low-income communities and others who rely heavily on the shot for contraception.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
-
Not since Oakland Hills in 2008 — Jeev Milkha Singh and Robert Karlsson at 2-under 68 — has the low score to par after the first round of the PGA Championship been worse than 3 under.—
Doug Ferguson,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inadequate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inadequate. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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