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 Feelings of guilt, inadequacy, and anxiety after viewing triggering content are not incidental side effects. — Jessica Scheer, STAT, 2 Sep. 2026 Obstacles, even a sense of fear or inadequacy, might prevent you from being effective. — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 1 Sep. 2026 But if the reason you’re being drawn to improve your appearance comes from a place of in inadequacy and constant comparison to others, then this motivation may leave you at risk of developing restrictive or harmful behaviors. — Jennifer Donnelly, Scientific American, 30 Aug. 2026 After all, the class was her sanctuary through a breakup, during feelings of inadequacy and when she was frustrated with work. — Sneha Dhandapani, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inadequacy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadequacy
  1. shortage
  2. inability
  3. lack
  4. deficiency
Noun
  • The bigger issue, Chesky argues, is a shortage of new construction.
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Recently, anger at this collateral damage, heightened by the fish shortage, has evolved into a political movement.
    — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of shortage
Noun
  • The real failure here is on the part of the adults involved — their inability to resolve conflict, manage bruised egos and find a way to nurture an extraordinary talent.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
  • His teachers attributed the problem to his inability to stay focused while using an iPad throughout the day, Byock said.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of inability
Noun
  • The demonstrations first erupted last month in a high school in Creteil, southeast of Paris, over a lack of staff.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Management is guiding to flat EBITDA margins for the year, as lower-margin acquisitions and a fading FX tailwind offset productivity gains, so don't be worried about a lack of profitability growth in coming quarters.
    — Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of lack
Noun
  • The coaster’s most recent inspection, on March 16, reported no violations, deficiencies, citations or red tags, according to King.
    — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Other diseases that cause similar symptoms and findings include lupus, Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, vitamin B12 deficiency, and less common conditions like neuromyelitis optica and MOG antibody disease.
    — Lindsay Karp, STAT, 23 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of shindig

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
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
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All