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 2024 three-part docuseries American Nightmare dives headfirst into several thought-provoking issues, like victim blaming and the glaring inadequacies in the criminal justice system.
—
James Mercadante, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
The clapping served as an audible reminder of the Aztecs’ offensive inadequacies, and players visibly tightened as the clanked shots and errant passes mounted.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
Yet fortunes have turned more recently, with on-field inadequacies slowly but surely eating into off-field resources.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Debates surrounding its future intensified in the 2000s, as DFW’s ballooning population laid bare the long-term inadequacies of its water reserves.
—Eleanor Dearman
updated August 15, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Aug. 2025
As sheriff of Baltimore City, I am compelled to raise the alarm on court security funding inadequacies.
—Sam Cogen, Baltimore Sun, 4 Aug. 2025
The most common motives for lying at work are fear of upsetting someone, avoiding conflict, not wanting to reveal inadequacies, or serving personal career goals.
—Lieke Ten Brummelhuis, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
This is just about my own personal inadequacies.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
Rather than discussing the inadequacies, dishonesty, and plain bad art of The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez, the trade press perpetuates the hubbub as a technological crisis.
—Armond White, National Review, 24 Jan. 2025
James Mercadante, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
The clapping served as an audible reminder of the Aztecs’ offensive inadequacies, and players visibly tightened as the clanked shots and errant passes mounted.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
Yet fortunes have turned more recently, with on-field inadequacies slowly but surely eating into off-field resources.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Debates surrounding its future intensified in the 2000s, as DFW’s ballooning population laid bare the long-term inadequacies of its water reserves.
—Eleanor Dearman
updated August 15, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Aug. 2025
As sheriff of Baltimore City, I am compelled to raise the alarm on court security funding inadequacies.
—Sam Cogen, Baltimore Sun, 4 Aug. 2025
The most common motives for lying at work are fear of upsetting someone, avoiding conflict, not wanting to reveal inadequacies, or serving personal career goals.
—Lieke Ten Brummelhuis, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
This is just about my own personal inadequacies.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
Rather than discussing the inadequacies, dishonesty, and plain bad art of The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez, the trade press perpetuates the hubbub as a technological crisis.
—Armond White, National Review, 24 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadequacies
Noun
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China’s apparent surge in missile production comes as the US expends sophisticated defense systems in Ukraine and Israel, causing some ammunition shortages and sparking debate in Washington about how and where to deploy its high-end weapons.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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When staffing shortages occur, the FAA will reduce the flow of air traffic to maintain safety.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
So Vegas has to hope that their forward depth is strong enough to balance out where their star power lacks, relative to other contenders.—
The Athletic NHL,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
This absence — of God, of love, of plain community spirit — is a metaphor for the whole parish, where everyone is defined by their own lacks and deficiencies, the weaknesses that cause Wicks to despise them and vow to bring down them all.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Opponents raised concerns about the cost of new construction and long-term debt, arguing that renovations could have addressed the library’s deficiencies.—
Daniel Hunt,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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These nutrients reduce the risk of certain conditions present at birth, help fetal development, and prevent deficiencies that can affect the pregnant person.—
Nancy LeBrun,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inadequacies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inadequacies. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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