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
Relevance
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
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
Oddly, despite his inadequacies, the Sad Art Dad suggests a promising cultural shift on-screen.
—
Susie Goldsbrough, The Atlantic, 28 Dec. 2025
Sigourney Weaver’s Kiri (a teenage Na’vi with mysterious powers, born from the dead body of a human character in the fi — oh never mind) learns more about her origins and begins to feel a deep sense of inadequacy.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 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
See All Example Sentences for inadequacy
Susie Goldsbrough, The Atlantic, 28 Dec. 2025
Sigourney Weaver’s Kiri (a teenage Na’vi with mysterious powers, born from the dead body of a human character in the fi — oh never mind) learns more about her origins and begins to feel a deep sense of inadequacy.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 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
See All Example Sentences for inadequacy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadequacy
Noun
-
Several cultural events, including a book fair, have been postponed in Cuba this month as the island grapples with the most severe fuel shortages and power blackouts in years.—
Andrea Rodriguez,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
-
However, power outages and staff shortages also might be at play.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
One of the common threads in the investigation into the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s mom, Nancy, has been the police’s inability to confirm whether Nancy Guthrie was still alive.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The declaration was aimed at closing a dark chapter for the men and their families, and for a city that was shaken by the brutality of the crime and investigators' inability to solve it for decades.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
From an outside lens, Norway’s lack of hockey success doesn’t make much sense, especially considering its status in other winter sports.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Visits to the shrine are seen by Japan's neighbors as evidence of a lack of remorse for Japan's wartime past.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
No vitamin D deficiency around here.—
Becky Bartkowski,
AZCentral.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
High-impact sports can also destroy red blood cells, leading to iron deficiency anemia, while some athletes might also lose blood through their gastrointestinal tract, Hew-Butler says.—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inadequacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inadequacy. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
