as in lacking
not coming up to an expected measure or meeting a particular need
an inadequate amount of food on hand for so many unexpected guests
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inadequate
Detainees, attorneys representing them and advocates have alleged inadequate medical care, poor living conditions and delays in immigration proceedings.
—
Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 2 June 2026
At some point, a recurring crisis with an inadequate response stops being a management problem and becomes a leadership question.
—Desmon Yancy, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
Protective equipment would be inadequate.
—Dr. Aditya Vikram Kashyap, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
This battery was clearly inadequate from the start.
—Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 2 June 2026
At some point, a recurring crisis with an inadequate response stops being a management problem and becomes a leadership question.
—Desmon Yancy, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
Protective equipment would be inadequate.
—Dr. Aditya Vikram Kashyap, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
This battery was clearly inadequate from the start.
—Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadequate
Adjective
-
Maresca’s raw qualifications, however, are somewhat lacking.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
-
Not just any type of bus, but a marshrutka—a crowded, rumbling, claustrophobic Soviet holdover minibus, solidly built with steel girding and equally lacking in shock absorbers and seat padding.—
Irene Zabytko
May 7,
Literary Hub,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Some medical experts are concerned that virtual care may be insufficient for prescribing weight loss drugs.—
Maia Rosenfeld,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
-
Environmental stressors can include insufficient water, high temperatures, excessive moisture and/or nitrogen, severe pruning, or root damage.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Castine, Maine Pristine sandy beaches like Wadsworth Cove might be scarce in this small waterfront village, but Castine makes up for it with a rich seafaring history and plentiful water activities.—
Kira Turnbull,
Travel + Leisure,
6 June 2026
-
Because the statewide law was passed during the COVID-19 pandemic and housing construction has been slow and more expensive ever since, data is scarce about whether the reforms are making headway on their lofty housing, transit and pollution goals.—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mercury News,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
The rulings do not clear the former paramedics of wrongdoing but return the cases to the lower court for a possible retrial.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
5 June 2026
-
The tech contagion spread to stocks in Asia, dragging key indexes lower.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
5 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inadequate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inadequate. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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