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
This majestic sequence delivers a lifetime’s outpouring of love’s inadequacies and frustrations, of grief and regret, of gratitude along with candid acceptance of loss, and of self-questioning that never shakes the foundations of the family—her ferocious commitment to the children.
—
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 June 2026
Epidemiologists and other medical experts told the AP that the suicides in ICE custody — which previously occurred typically once or not at all each year — were cause for alarm and a sign of inadequacies in care, at a minimum.
—Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 27 May 2026
Skepticism about Shakespeare having actually written the plays attributed to him has persisted for more than a century, originated by lack of documentation and inadequacies in the historical record and perpetuated by cultural fascination.
—Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
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
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 June 2026
Epidemiologists and other medical experts told the AP that the suicides in ICE custody — which previously occurred typically once or not at all each year — were cause for alarm and a sign of inadequacies in care, at a minimum.
—Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 27 May 2026
Skepticism about Shakespeare having actually written the plays attributed to him has persisted for more than a century, originated by lack of documentation and inadequacies in the historical record and perpetuated by cultural fascination.
—Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadequacies
Noun
-
Cuba provides free, universal healthcare, but the system has been pushed to the brink as a result of resource shortages, fuel scarcity and power outages that can last more than 20 hours.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
-
Ukrainian strikes on Russia’s critical infrastructure have also led to gasoline shortages in some areas and persistent airport delays.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
The artist thought that paintings and drawings have a certain depth that photography on its own lacks.—
Kelsey Ables,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2026
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What Hafley’s team lacks are proven, established names; productivity that can be relied on if healthy.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
The growing calls for accountability come as a local animal rescue founder has filed a lawsuit against the City of San Jose, alleging serious deficiencies in shelter operations.—
Maddie White,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
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Iron and vitamin D deficiencies can both cause fatigue, but iron deficiency tends to have a more direct and noticeable effect on energy, especially in women with heavy periods.—
Sara Hoffman,
Verywell Health,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inadequacies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inadequacies. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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