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
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
Yet fortunes have turned more recently, with on-field inadequacies slowly but surely eating into off-field resources.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 9 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
Analysts fear that last week’s abductions and the response through school closures underscore serious inadequacies in the strength of the Nigerian state and its anti-terrorism ambition and approach.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 24 Nov. 2025
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
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
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
Yet fortunes have turned more recently, with on-field inadequacies slowly but surely eating into off-field resources.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 9 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
Analysts fear that last week’s abductions and the response through school closures underscore serious inadequacies in the strength of the Nigerian state and its anti-terrorism ambition and approach.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 24 Nov. 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadequacies
Noun
-
Staffing shortages identified years ago continue to undermine security and basic operations.—
Walter Pavlo,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The delivery comes as Ukraine leans heavily on drones to offset shortages in traditional missiles and aircraft.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Economic theory would suggest that the best place to make a major investment such as a STAR bond would be in a place that has low, or lacks, economic activity.—
Sofi Zeman
January 21,
Kansas City Star,
21 Jan. 2026
-
The 6-2, 2-00-pounder lacks experience but does boast ideal length and versatility and currently projects as a late-round selection or free agent.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
16 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
It’s usually caused by a metabolic change in your body, either from hormones, nutritional deficiencies, high levels of stress, or medication.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
29 Jan. 2026
-
State auditors released a report detailing deficiencies in everything from IT contingency planning to incident response and risk management.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inadequacies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inadequacies. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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