inadequacy

noun

(ˌ)i-ˈna-di-kwə-sē How to pronounce inadequacy (audio)
Definition of inadequacynext
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inadequacy That number says less about the size of the problem than about the inadequacy of the old answers. — Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 10 June 2026 That’s a feeling of inadequacy that not only infests Ruben’s mind, but Niall’s as well. — Barry Levitt, Time, 29 May 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 Payton never has feelings of inadequacy or insecurity. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for inadequacy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadequacy
  1. shortage
  2. inability
  3. lack
  4. deficiency
Noun
  • The divergence is over whether the worker shortage is improving slowly or still getting worse, and what the Supreme Court should do about it.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Lights had been switched off to conserve electricity amid fuel shortages that have gripped Cuba since the beginning of the year.
    — Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Definition of shortage
Noun
  • His complaints include Microsoft being the de facto root of trust for the entire UEFI platform, the inability of the protection to scale sufficiently, and the ability for components to boot even after top-level certificates expire.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 14 July 2026
  • While there are some drawbacks compared to traditional investments — such as its inability to earn dividends — there are several ways to add gold to your portfolio.
    — Liz Knueven, CNBC, 14 July 2026
Definition of inability
Noun
  • The report included the lack of antimissile capabilities in the new aircraft, a Boeing 747-8 that was donated by the government of Qatar and later retrofitted.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 July 2026
  • Despite its lack of cutting-edge lithography machines, the incredible imbalance between supply and demand was enough to prompt it to enter the space.
    — Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 16 July 2026
Definition of lack
Noun
  • Notably, Messi had a growth deficiency as a child, for which he was treated.
    — Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Schrier and Alsobrooks wrote in their letter that historically there wasn’t a need for robust monitoring systems to track cases of vitamin K deficiency bleeding.
    — Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 10 July 2026
Definition of deficiency

Browse Nearby Words

inadequacies
inadequacy
inadequate
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Cite this Entry

“Inadequacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inadequacy. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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