as in shortages
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
the inadequacy of our servings was soon apparent, as hungry guests started clamoring for seconds
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Recent Examples of inadequacies
The Lamont administration invited to the signing ceremony Hammersley and others who have been critical of Connecticut’s longstanding inadequacies in education funding, which have been the subject of litigation over decades, as well as the current governor’s fiscal moderation.
—
Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026
Any nook and cranny across the building becomes a storage space — the number of issues with the current space at this point is a scroll of inadequacies, many city employees said.
—Elliot Mann, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
United’s second-half changes saw several of the squad’s technical inadequacies bubble back to the surface.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Initiative in the upcoming weeks to address health care inadequacies for addicts.
—Joseph Choi, The Hill, 3 Feb. 2026
Re-tooled with new signings, the defensive inadequacies and erratic finishing that had held the club back during his first campaign were eradicated.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Most moving is Packer’s evocation of the choice’s effect on Eliot, who is forced to confront his inadequacies—both real and perceived—as a caregiver and a husband.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
Oddly, despite his inadequacies, the Sad Art Dad suggests a promising cultural shift on-screen.
—Susie Goldsbrough, The Atlantic, 28 Dec. 2025
The offense flashed some real moments of competency, but also some real rookie-mistake inadequacies.
—Nick Suss, Nashville Tennessean, 15 Dec. 2025
Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026
Any nook and cranny across the building becomes a storage space — the number of issues with the current space at this point is a scroll of inadequacies, many city employees said.
—Elliot Mann, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
United’s second-half changes saw several of the squad’s technical inadequacies bubble back to the surface.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Initiative in the upcoming weeks to address health care inadequacies for addicts.
—Joseph Choi, The Hill, 3 Feb. 2026
Re-tooled with new signings, the defensive inadequacies and erratic finishing that had held the club back during his first campaign were eradicated.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Most moving is Packer’s evocation of the choice’s effect on Eliot, who is forced to confront his inadequacies—both real and perceived—as a caregiver and a husband.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
Oddly, despite his inadequacies, the Sad Art Dad suggests a promising cultural shift on-screen.
—Susie Goldsbrough, The Atlantic, 28 Dec. 2025
The offense flashed some real moments of competency, but also some real rookie-mistake inadequacies.
—Nick Suss, Nashville Tennessean, 15 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadequacies
Noun
-
Because of the war, petroleum shortages have led to jacked up prices at the gas pump, and that has grabbed everyone’s attention.—
Dave Trecker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 Apr. 2026
-
California’s housing prices, shortages and challenges are the result of decades of overreach at all levels of state and local government.—
Eliza Terziev,
Oc Register,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Cinch doesn't have many add-on options available, which means customization lacks.—
Caroline Ernst,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2026
-
As of Wednesday, firearms dealers are required under state law to use scanners that pull the prospective purchaser’s name, date of birth and other details from the card’s magnetic strip, which the new design lacks — except if they are authorized otherwise.—
Madison Smalstig,
Sacbee.com,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The war also revealed deficiencies in Russia’s conventional ground and air forces.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
23 Apr. 2026
-
An inspector also noted physical deficiencies like equipment in need of repair.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inadequacies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inadequacies. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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