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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Recent Examples of inadequate
Live Nation has faced years of antitrust scrutiny over its 2010 acquisition of Ticketmaster, which was cleared by the Obama administration and later contested as inadequate by rivals, lawmakers and fans.
—
Josh Sisco, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
This should be exciting news for the 1 in 6 Americans who deal with infertility, especially those without health insurance or paying out-of-pocket because of inadequate coverage.
—Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 9 Mar. 2026
Among the most prominent findings from community outreach, which included surveys, walkabouts, pop-up events and a builder’s breakfast, were concerns about traffic speeding, inadequate lighting, lack of street trees and the absence of a cohesive identity for the corridor.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
Trump also warned the House GOP that their existing version of the bill is inadequate.
—ABC News, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Josh Sisco, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
This should be exciting news for the 1 in 6 Americans who deal with infertility, especially those without health insurance or paying out-of-pocket because of inadequate coverage.
—Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 9 Mar. 2026
Among the most prominent findings from community outreach, which included surveys, walkabouts, pop-up events and a builder’s breakfast, were concerns about traffic speeding, inadequate lighting, lack of street trees and the absence of a cohesive identity for the corridor.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
Trump also warned the House GOP that their existing version of the bill is inadequate.
—ABC News, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadequate
Adjective
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Financial vulnerability in Cook County has declined modestly since 2022, with fewer households reporting having less than a week of savings and fewer lacking confidence in reaching long-term goals.—
Jennifer Tescher,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
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And don’t give me the lacking pass protection nonsense.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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When Corms Don't Sprout If your corms haven’t sprouted after two weeks, there could be several reasons for this, such as rotting due to overwatering, insufficient warmth and humidity, or the corms being too dry.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
13 Mar. 2026
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Prior to the law being enacted, there was a penalty of 50% associated with an insufficient withdrawal.—
Elliot Raphaelson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Yet users find forest maps deficient, trail signs dilapidated, campgrounds closed and information scarce.—
Evan Mills,
Mercury News,
15 Mar. 2026
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The true amount was probably less, but Ming Tai was a successful businessman, and marriageable Chinese women were incredibly scarce in New York.—
Charlotte Brooks,
Big Think,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Heat was also without Nikola Jovic (low back injury management), Terry Rozier (not with team) and Jahmir Young (G League) on Thursday.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
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Many unions, for instance, which have their own healthcare plans, might welcome lower drug prices.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inadequate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inadequate. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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