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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 inadequate The parole board member cited public risk and safety, the severity of the crime, and an inadequate parole plan for housing and employment. — Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 At the root of the crisis is inadequate laws to punish offenders and a poor judicial system, activists say. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026 Along with everyone else in healthcare, I was exposed to the virus every day, all day, with unforgivably inadequate personal protective equipment. — Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026 Multiple studies have found that inadequate sleep and poor sleep (especially during midlife) can accelerate brain aging. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadequate
  1. lacking
  2. insufficient
  3. scarce
  4. low
Adjective
  • Illinois already ranks among the states with the highest property taxes in the nation, yet substantive efforts to relieve this burden remain entirely lacking.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The Detroit Free Press and other Michigan- and national-based media organizations have said the claims are misleading or lacking context.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of lacking
Adjective
  • Experts attribute that increase partly to issues such as rising healthcare costs, lagging Social Security benefits and insufficient retirement savings.
    — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Prosecutors declined to file any charges, citing insufficient evidence.
    — Melissa Sanchez, ProPublica, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of insufficient
Adjective
  • The scarce resource today is a person willing to stand behind what a test claims to prove.
    — Jay Singh, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The conventional seed sector is dominated by hybrid and GMO cotton varieties, making certified organic and non-GMO seed scarce and difficult to obtain.
    — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of scarce
Adjective
  • The wide availability of low-cost, powerful open models is one reason Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has warned that open models in particular pose a risk of widespread and potentially devastating cyber attacks.
    — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • America's ability to compete internationally, which has become a central argument for expanding AI infrastructure, ranks much lower.
    — Will Johnson, Time, 21 Oct. 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 21 Oct. 2026.

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