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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Recent Examples of inadequate
These outcomes suggest that the United States’ ability to deter a conventional conflict with China may be inadequate and call into question whether the United States would prevail in a war if deterrence failed.
—
Andrew S. Lim, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Gomez responded to a series of questions from inside ICE detention and claimed the prison food was inadequate, and a water fountain in his cell block was broken.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
At an emergency hearing Friday evening federal Judge James Boasberg seemed to agree the forms migrants were asked to sign regarding the Act had no information regarding their right to contest and were inadequate.
—Jasmine Garsd, NPR, 19 Apr. 2025
Additionally, the feds said, Newark’s fire department had inadequate training for cargo ships and should not have sent smoke-eaters onboard.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Andrew S. Lim, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Gomez responded to a series of questions from inside ICE detention and claimed the prison food was inadequate, and a water fountain in his cell block was broken.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
At an emergency hearing Friday evening federal Judge James Boasberg seemed to agree the forms migrants were asked to sign regarding the Act had no information regarding their right to contest and were inadequate.
—Jasmine Garsd, NPR, 19 Apr. 2025
Additionally, the feds said, Newark’s fire department had inadequate training for cargo ships and should not have sent smoke-eaters onboard.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadequate
Adjective
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Body cameras, diversity training and community liaisons represent necessary but insufficient improvements to a system fundamentally designed to control rather than serve certain communities.—
Natasha Dartigue,
Baltimore Sun,
23 Apr. 2025
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Focusing only on new cloud applications is insufficient.—
Benoit Grangé,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The area normally can expect 38.4 inches, according to the National Weather Service. Chicago was warmer than average during the 2023-24 season, which meant snow was scarce.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2025
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This gap is particularly pronounced in countries without a long-standing tradition of immigration, such as Austria and Germany, where clinical studies on menopause among migrant populations remain scarce.—
Ximena Araya-Fischel,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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There is no sign outside Hurdle’s San Diego salon, but despite the low profile, her Instagram page warns that she’s usually booked months in advance.—
Lindsy Van Gelder,
Allure,
25 Apr. 2025
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With consumer confidence at its lowest level in three years and inflation expected to climb as a consequence of the trade war, even meek Republicans have raised complaints about the impact of some of Trump’s moves on their political future.—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inadequate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inadequate. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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