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
Among other complaints, detainees there allege systemic medical neglect and inadequate food and water.
—
Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
Many Hungarians, and others across Europe who were closely watching the election, had feared that a simple majority for Tisza would have been inadequate to truly transform Orbán’s system.
—Justin Spike, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, enrollment in California’s insurer of last resort has quadrupled since 2019, with more and more homeowners forced to rely on expensive and inadequate coverage.
—Scott Wiener, Oc Register, 12 Apr. 2026
Boating accidents are common in India, where many vessels are overcrowded and have inadequate safety equipment.
—ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
Many Hungarians, and others across Europe who were closely watching the election, had feared that a simple majority for Tisza would have been inadequate to truly transform Orbán’s system.
—Justin Spike, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, enrollment in California’s insurer of last resort has quadrupled since 2019, with more and more homeowners forced to rely on expensive and inadequate coverage.
—Scott Wiener, Oc Register, 12 Apr. 2026
Boating accidents are common in India, where many vessels are overcrowded and have inadequate safety equipment.
—ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadequate
Adjective
-
But the upper frequencies are still slightly lacking.—
Mark Knapp,
PC Magazine,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Loro Parque, a zoo on the island of Tenerife, offers a clean and safe environment, expert care and proper mental and social stimulation that Wikie and Keijo are desperately lacking.—
Valerie Greene,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
When Mecklenburg District Attorney Spencer Merriweather’s office tossed the case against Graves on March 4, citing insufficient evidence and revisiting his original alibi, officers had not announced any other arrests.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Simply calling out Altman as someone to cheer for or root against feels insufficient, even as some people do that (especially the latter one).—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But competition for scarce goods is only half the story.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The conflict in Iran has caused oil prices in Haiti to surge, disrupting critical supply chains, doubling transportation costs and forcing millions of undernourished people to cut back on already scarce meals.—
Evens Sanon,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Shop sets with short and sleeveless tops, shorts, and cropped pants, and even one with a duster, starting as low as $20.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
17 Apr. 2026
-
This was, in part, because my family didn’t have a lot of money, and updating electronics was a low priority.—
Hanif Abdurraqib,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inadequate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inadequate. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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