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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadequacies
Noun
-
The dress's origin is often attributed to lingerie designer Sylvia Pedlar, who developed the mini dress in 1942 in response to fabric shortages during World War II.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
-
Gas and diesel shortages have triggered more frequent power cuts in industrial zones.—
Julhas Alam,
Fortune,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Ford’s freedom or constraints, his prejudices or lacks, gauge his moment and ours.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Dipping into 2027 draft capital to make a fifth-round selection in a draft that Schneider has repeatedly said lacks depth is a surprising move.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Potassium or iron deficiencies may also contribute to browning, especially if the tree looks weak overall.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
15 May 2026
-
Following last year’s Louvre heist, a new report released by a French parliamentary commission on May 13 sheds light on glaring security deficiencies within the country’s cultural institutions.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inadequacies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inadequacies. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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