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

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 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
  • It was reflected in his inability to record a single strikeout.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 8 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, 7 July 2026
Definition of inability
Noun
  • One Calabria hospital had lines several hours long Despite growing tourism and a strong farming economy, Calabria symbolizes southern Italy’s lack of development compared to the more wealthy and industrialized north.
    — Paolo Santalucia, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Josh Houston, who also filed complaints with state and federal agencies, said his biggest concern has been the lack of communication surrounding the project affecting the subdivision’s only access road.
    — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 9 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inadequacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inadequacy. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on inadequacy

Nglish: Translation of inadequacy for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of fulcrum

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All