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
Climate change, industrial pollution, inadequate sanitation that pollutes drinking water sources with human waste — these are all factors in the water crisis.
—
Matthew Carey, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2026
The hospitals struggled over the years under the company with inadequate staffing and antiquated equipment.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
Since last spring, lawyers and advocates have complained of inadequate medical care, contaminated food and minimal schooling for children held there.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
Agencies and employees are doing good work, but excessive waste results from overregulation, weak accountability, and inadequate oversight.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Matthew Carey, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2026
The hospitals struggled over the years under the company with inadequate staffing and antiquated equipment.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
Since last spring, lawyers and advocates have complained of inadequate medical care, contaminated food and minimal schooling for children held there.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
Agencies and employees are doing good work, but excessive waste results from overregulation, weak accountability, and inadequate oversight.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadequate
Adjective
-
Vučević is also a good defensive rebounder, an area in which the Celtics are greatly lacking.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Unfortunately, that correspondence is wholly lacking.—
Clarence Page,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
So 17 days is a token window, and grotesquely insufficient.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Feb. 2026
-
This can result from fever, insufficient fluids, or other factors.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Think space-saving packing solutions, genius tech that keeps your devices alive when outlets are scarce, and comfort items that make economy feel a little more bearable.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Among the officials at the Board of Peace meeting, mentions of the need for a two-state solution were scarce.—
Ishaan Tharoor,
New Yorker,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
All that is gone, even more so as Premier League matches are being switched to Mondays and Fridays, when demand for everything is lower.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inadequate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inadequate. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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