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
The result has been a chronically inadequate housing supply, a problem compounded in recent years by higher interest rates.
—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
24 June 2026
The attorney said there was inadequate training or drills for counselors and campers regarding a flood threat.
—
Laura Romero,
ABC News,
24 June 2026
The 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in El Paso County ruled the shooting was justified because Wallick believed the young man was going for a gun and that a Taser or a less-lethal response would be inadequate.
—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
24 June 2026
There were ways to acknowledge the hurt feelings that so many Giants fans have expressed over the past two weeks, while also acknowledging that a lot of the hurt came from the inadequate organizational response.
—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
24 June 2026
The attorney said there was inadequate training or drills for counselors and campers regarding a flood threat.
—
Laura Romero,
ABC News,
24 June 2026
The 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in El Paso County ruled the shooting was justified because Wallick believed the young man was going for a gun and that a Taser or a less-lethal response would be inadequate.
—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
24 June 2026
There were ways to acknowledge the hurt feelings that so many Giants fans have expressed over the past two weeks, while also acknowledging that a lot of the hurt came from the inadequate organizational response.
—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadequate
Adjective
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An honest review would tell you the coordination was a little lacking in this particular bit of maritime cosplay.
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While sports governing bodies such as FIFA and the International Olympic Committee have come to recognize that press freedom is an essential part of their commitments to uphold human rights, results are vastly lacking.
Adjective
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However, in some areas, there are complaints that there is still insufficient personnel to accelerate the search.
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More recent reviews conclude that while reishi demonstrates promising anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, there is currently insufficient high-quality clinical evidence to confirm its effectiveness for treating seasonal allergies or other allergic conditions in humans.
Adjective
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Economics teaches us that what is scarce becomes more valuable.
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Paz said that the state of emergency is intended to guarantee fuel supplies, which have become increasingly scarce as roadblocks have left tanker trucks stranded.
Adjective
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Hien immediately fell to the ground and had to be helped off the pitch with what appeared to be a lower-body injury.
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Wenski’s remarks come as many in South Florida, the heart of the Haitian community in the country, are reeling after the justices reversed a lower court ruling upholding TPS protections for Haitians.
Cite this Entry
“Inadequate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inadequate. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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