Synonyms of inadequate

inadequate

adjective

(ˌ)i-ˈna-di-kwət 

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

• lacking
• insufficient
• scarce
• low
• deficient
• short
• wanting
• unacceptable
• unsatisfactory
• shy
• substandard
• sparse
• poor
• meager
• skimpy
• scanty
• scant
• lean
• stingy
• small
• mere
• minimum
• slender
• light
• spare
• slim
• bare
• skimp
• hand-to-mouth
• slight

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• adequate
• sufficient
• enough
• abundant
• generous
• ample
• plentiful
• copious
• liberal
• bountiful
• enlarged
• bounteous
• plenteous
• satisfactory
• expanded
• supplemented
• large
• overflowing
• tolerable
• rich
• considerable
• substantial
• plenitudinous
• lavish
• sizable
• super
• big
• teeming
• luxuriant
• hefty
• oversize
• abounding
• jumbo
• largish
• king-size

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of inadequate

The shooting also led to an ongoing wrongful death lawsuit filed a year later by Edgar’s victims accusing the Orlando Police Department and the operators of the Wall Street Plaza entertainment complex of providing inadequate security. — Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2026

Often, a tree grows suckers in response to stress from pests, diseases, or damage, or to difficult conditions such as inadequate root space or insufficient water. — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026

By the end, Nidhi comes to find both approaches inadequate, even self-protective. — Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026

The city is now proceeding with an independent secondary investigation, which is tantamount to an admission that their initial investigation was both inadequate and incomplete. — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026