inadequate

adjective

(ˌ)i-ˈna-di-kwət How to pronounce inadequate (audio)
Definition of inadequatenext
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

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 inadequate Most of those digging were civilians who took search efforts into their own hands, and tensions peaked over inadequate response from the Venezuelan government, whose soldiers, firefighters, police and military cadets were evidently underprepared to respond to the tragedy. — Arkansas Online, 28 June 2026 His power in the Senate atop the chamber’s health committee and bipartisan respect as an earnest lawmaker proved inadequate to overcome his impeachment vote and Trump’s influence among Louisiana Republican voters. — Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 27 June 2026 Army investigations have repeatedly pointed to the same factors contributing to fatal training incidents including sleep deprivation, inadequate training and inexperienced leaders supervising high-risk exercises. — ABC News, 26 June 2026 The 1995 Chicago heat wave killed over 700 people, primarily in low-income and vulnerable communities — a reminder of how poverty, inadequate housing and limited access to cooling can turn a weather event into a public health disaster. — Chuka Onuh, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadequate
  1. lacking
  2. insufficient
  3. scarce
  4. low
Adjective
  • Shuffling the opposition across to make space for a switch to the far side is a viable method of attack, but that can then come at the cost of a central box presence, with Portugal lacking runners beyond the ball.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 2 July 2026
  • There is something to be found in both this character and the actress who plays her, but Alcock’s Kara did not have a chance to shine here in a lacking feature, and deserved better.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
Definition of lacking
Adjective
  • Trump and his supporters have repeatedly pushed Senate leaders to abolish the filibuster to pass the election bill, but there's also insufficient support to drastically change the chamber's procedures.
    — Dan Mangan,Luke Fountain,Kevin Breuninger,Garrett Downs,Ashley Capoot,Justin Papp, CNBC, 2 July 2026
  • However, inadequate wastewater infrastructure, insufficient funding and a lack of accountability have contributed to one of the worst environmental and public health crises in North America.
    — Serge Dedina, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 July 2026
Definition of insufficient
Adjective
  • Rats are burrowing into aid parcels, forcing people to throw away scarce rice or flour supplies.
    — Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
  • Managing scarcity through digital modeling While deuterium is highly abundant and easily extracted from standard seawater, tritium is exceedingly scarce in nature.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 July 2026
Definition of scarce
Adjective
  • Those groups also have lower access to drugs that can stop the transmission of HIV.
    — Tamar Hallerman, AJC.com, 1 July 2026
  • Last winter was the second-warmest on record, according to the city’s ordinance, with record low snowpack almost everywhere.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 1 July 2026
Definition of low

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Cite this Entry

“Inadequate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inadequate. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on inadequate

Nglish: Translation of inadequate for Spanish Speakers

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