inadequacy

noun

in·​ad·​e·​qua·​cy (ˌ)i-ˈna-di-kwə-sē 

plural inadequacies

1

: the quality or state of being inadequate

2

: insufficiency, deficiency

Synonyms

• crunch
• dearth
• deficiency
• deficit
• drought
• drouth
• failure
• famine
• inadequateness
• insufficiency
• lack
• lacuna
• paucity
• pinch
• poverty
• scantiness
• scarceness
• scarcity
• shortage
• undersupply
• want

Examples of inadequacy in a Sentence

the inadequacy of our servings was soon apparent, as hungry guests started clamoring for seconds

tried to blame others in order to hide the inadequacy of his leadership

Recent Examples on the Web

Moving up the ranks quickly can create feelings of inadequacy. —Tanya Arturi, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025

And here self-doubt and inadequacy offer an access. —Karl Ove Knausgaard, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025

Populations at risk of vitamin K inadequacy include newborns not treated with vitamin K at birth and people with malabsorption disorders and other gastrointestinal disorders.11 6. —Jonathan Purtell, Verywell Health, 19 Jan. 2025

Many capable, accomplished women live in the ‘not enough’ trap, wrestling daily with a nagging sense of inadequacy. —Margie Warrell, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1787, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for inadequacy

• adequacy

Kids Definition

inadequacy

noun

in·​ad·​e·​qua·​cy (ˈ)in-ˈad-i-kwə-sē 

plural inadequacies

1

: the quality or state of being inadequate

2

a

: an inadequate amount

b

: a failure to meet expectations

feelings of inadequacy

aware of my own inadequacies

Medical Definition

inadequacy

noun

in·​ad·​e·​qua·​cy (ˈ)in-ˈad-i-kwə-sē 

plural inadequacies

: the quality or state of being inadequate