1
as in shortage
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inability
the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means
tried to blame others in order to hide the inadequacy of his leadership
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inadequacy
Seeking punishment for a pre-existing (probably Oedipal) feeling of shame and inadequacy, some of the incarcerated seek a reality that fits their self-identity.
—
Adam Solomons, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
That's just there to mask the inadequacy.
—Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 18 Aug. 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
See All Example Sentences for inadequacy
Adam Solomons, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
That's just there to mask the inadequacy.
—Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 18 Aug. 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
See All Example Sentences for inadequacy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadequacy
Noun
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The federal government officially began a partial shutdown with no last-minute drama or shortage of finger-pointing from Democrats and Republicans, each of whom was content to blame the other for the impasse.—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
1 Oct. 2025
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The outbreak was forcing a shortage of eggs as well, leading some grocers to restrict how many dozens of eggs consumers could buy per visit.—
Olivia Evans,
Louisville Courier Journal,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In other democracies, such inability to drive through legislation would most likely be met by a confidence vote, perhaps the ousting of the head of the party of government and a general election.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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Fifty-five percent of manufacturers in the state said cost increases have been the biggest impact and 32% reported that uncertainty or an inability to plan was the biggest impact.—
Anna Kleiber,
jsonline.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Youths frustrated at a social media ban, corruption and lack of economic opportunities coordinated mass protests via Discord that helped bring down the government.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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If the shutdown drags on, the lack of government data could strain investors’ understanding of the health of the labor market and path of inflation at a time when stocks are historically expensive and vulnerable to a surprise.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Testosterone replacement therapy is designed to restore normal hormone levels in men with deficiency, not to boost or optimize performance, Munger noted.—
Shiv Sudhakar,
FOXNews.com,
4 Oct. 2025
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Rocha also has language deficiencies and has low cognitive functioning, testing with an IQ of 81 as a child, according to Reynolds.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inadequacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inadequacy. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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