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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inadequacy
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
Anyone who drives around the Los Angeles basin understands the inadequacy of the freeway system.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inadequacy
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
Anyone who drives around the Los Angeles basin understands the inadequacy of the freeway system.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inadequacy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadequacy
Noun
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Progress in robotics Agility’s humanoid robot, Digit, has already entered the market, demonstrating its readiness to tackle the labor shortage in factories and warehouses.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
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Fuel prices in Asia have surged in recent days as processors reduce activity rates due to a shortage of crude, while state-of-the-art refineries in the Middle East cut production as storage runs out.—
Nicholas Lua,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The real Democratic failure lies not in having multiple candidates but in the party’s decades-long inability to develop Latino leaders as household names and frontrunners.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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At its core, narcissism is defined by a lack of empathy—not just occasional selfishness, but a consistent inability or unwillingness to step into someone else’s world.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Its only post office is in danger of closing due to lack of funding, and fliers are posted up on lamp posts asking for financial support from the community.—
Xuan Juliana Wang,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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Lakewood police were heavily criticized for their handling of the investigation into Gratton’s death, including for using her deadname and for an overall lack of transparency about the investigation.—
The Denver Post,
Denver Post,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The title refers to canines that are awaiting deployment, undergoing medical evaluation, being reviewed for deficiencies or leaving the service.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
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Many weed problems begin because lawn grasses are stressed due to nutrient deficiencies.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inadequacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inadequacy. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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