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
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Recent Examples of inadequate
California’s chronic absenteeism crisis has deepened, with roughly one in five students now missing so much school that their academic trajectories are permanently affected, while responses have been inadequate.
—
Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 27 May 2026
Despite that, the celebration still can’t take place due to inadequate public safety staffing.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 27 May 2026
Road accidents kill thousands in Bangladesh every year, due to a combination of poor road conditions, unskilled driving and inadequate oversight of traffic rules.
—Adam England, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026
Shaw said roles and responsibilities in the division were not clear and oversight was inadequate, leading to a failure to track payments to the department or issue invoices to users of park facilities.
—Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 27 May 2026
Despite that, the celebration still can’t take place due to inadequate public safety staffing.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 27 May 2026
Road accidents kill thousands in Bangladesh every year, due to a combination of poor road conditions, unskilled driving and inadequate oversight of traffic rules.
—Adam England, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026
Shaw said roles and responsibilities in the division were not clear and oversight was inadequate, leading to a failure to track payments to the department or issue invoices to users of park facilities.
—Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadequate
Adjective
-
Maresca’s raw qualifications, however, are somewhat lacking.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
-
Not just any type of bus, but a marshrutka—a crowded, rumbling, claustrophobic Soviet holdover minibus, solidly built with steel girding and equally lacking in shock absorbers and seat padding.—
Irene Zabytko
May 7,
Literary Hub,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Some medical experts are concerned that virtual care may be insufficient for prescribing weight loss drugs.—
Maia Rosenfeld,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
-
Environmental stressors can include insufficient water, high temperatures, excessive moisture and/or nitrogen, severe pruning, or root damage.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
For drinkers used to chasing impossibly scarce bottles, this bourbon lineup offers a certain clarity.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
-
Detainees describe electric shocks, rubber bullets, exposure to cold, scarce food and water, and overflowing bathrooms at Israel’s Ktzi’ot prison.—
Mogomotsi Magome,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2026
Adjective
-
Between 48 percent off platform sandals that feel just as cushioned as sneakers, to 60 percent off flexible, low-profile sneakers that’ll never challenge an overpacked suitcase, any of the shoes below will carry you through your summer outings in style.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
29 May 2026
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Potential side effects of GLP-1s include nausea, vomiting, changes in vision, low blood sugar, and, in rare cases, thyroid cancer.—
Maia Rosenfeld,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inadequate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inadequate. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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