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
Operational issues such as the timing of traffic signals and inadequate signage will also be addressed.
—
Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2025
The lawsuit called the company's safety changes inadequate.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 8 Oct. 2025
The drains were so inadequate that a visit to the gents toilet, even before kick-off, meant wading through puddles of urine.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Blanket statements about boundaries are woefully inadequate because the contexts of our relationships matter.
—Margeaux Feldman, Time, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2025
The lawsuit called the company's safety changes inadequate.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 8 Oct. 2025
The drains were so inadequate that a visit to the gents toilet, even before kick-off, meant wading through puddles of urine.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Blanket statements about boundaries are woefully inadequate because the contexts of our relationships matter.
—Margeaux Feldman, Time, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadequate
Adjective
-
Even well into the 1930s, America’s defense machinery was woefully lacking, especially in the critical transport of material and personnel.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
17 Oct. 2025
-
And every year is subject to the quality of the free-agent class, and 2021’s starting pitching market was especially lacking.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Mahomes and the Chiefs left just 37 seconds on the clock, insufficient time for the Lions to answer before halftime.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The judge said the evidence presented to the grand jury was insufficient to support the terrorism charge.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Steinbach said powered land has become its own investable asset class, because power rights themselves are scarce and valuable.—
Diana Olick,
CNBC,
14 Oct. 2025
-
The Vision Iconic appears to be a design study first and foremost, and as such, the mechanical details are scarce.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Oct. 2025
-
For those looking to get ahead, the best career training might not come from a classroom or a corporate internship, but from a low-wage job in the service industry, says Jeetu Patel, now chief product officer at Cisco.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inadequate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inadequate. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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