inadequate
adjective
in·ad·e·quate
(ˌ)i-ˈna-di-kwət 
: not adequate : not enough or good enough : insufficient
inadequate equipment
also
: not capable
was inadequate as a leader
inadequately
adverb
inadequateness
noun
Examples of inadequate in a Sentence
These supplies are inadequate to meet our needs.
We were given very inadequate information.
I felt inadequate to the task.
Her brother's success and popularity always made her feel inadequate.
Recent Examples on the Web
Yet nearly six decades later, this constitutional provision has proven inadequate for the realities of modern governance, revealing dangerous gaps that leave America vulnerable during presidential health crises.
—
Lynn Schmidt, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2025
Barbie Reynolds had anemia during detention, leaving her weak and frail, likely due to months of inadequate food quality and quantity, UN experts said.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025
Lack of communication and trust within the family is the leading cause (60%) of wealth transfer failure and 25% is due to heirs’ inadequate preparation, knowledge and skills to manage an inheritance, the Williams study said.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
When the data inputs that feed a model are inadequate, the model risks scaling exponentially but delivering poor performance and outputs.
—Gangesh Pathak, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
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Lynn Schmidt, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2025
Barbie Reynolds had anemia during detention, leaving her weak and frail, likely due to months of inadequate food quality and quantity, UN experts said.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025
Lack of communication and trust within the family is the leading cause (60%) of wealth transfer failure and 25% is due to heirs’ inadequate preparation, knowledge and skills to manage an inheritance, the Williams study said.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
When the data inputs that feed a model are inadequate, the model risks scaling exponentially but delivering poor performance and outputs.
—Gangesh Pathak, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Cite this Entry
“Inadequate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inadequate. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inadequate
adjective
in·ad·e·quate
(ˈ)in-ˈad-i-kwət
: not adequate : not enough or not good enough
an inadequate supply of food
inadequately
adverb
Medical Definition
inadequate
2 of 2 noun
: one who is inadequate especially in terms of social adjustment
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