1
as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
the inadequacy of our servings was soon apparent, as hungry guests started clamoring for seconds
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inability
the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means
tried to blame others in order to hide the inadequacy of his leadership
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inadequacy
Initiative in the upcoming weeks to address health care inadequacies for addicts.
—
Joseph Choi, The Hill, 3 Feb. 2026
Re-tooled with new signings, the defensive inadequacies and erratic finishing that had held the club back during his first campaign were eradicated.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Most moving is Packer’s evocation of the choice’s effect on Eliot, who is forced to confront his inadequacies—both real and perceived—as a caregiver and a husband.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
Anyone who drives around the Los Angeles basin understands the inadequacy of the freeway system.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inadequacy
Joseph Choi, The Hill, 3 Feb. 2026
Re-tooled with new signings, the defensive inadequacies and erratic finishing that had held the club back during his first campaign were eradicated.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Most moving is Packer’s evocation of the choice’s effect on Eliot, who is forced to confront his inadequacies—both real and perceived—as a caregiver and a husband.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
Anyone who drives around the Los Angeles basin understands the inadequacy of the freeway system.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inadequacy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadequacy
Noun
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Fuel shortages have forced authorities to impose rolling electricity outages across the country and limit some public services.—
Jarrett Renshaw,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
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The same sources also say the brand hasn't made significant profit from the phone, as costs remained high and kept rising amid the global memory shortage.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Instead, there was a perceptible rise in militant attacks within Pakistan, accompanied by Kabul’s reluctance or inability to decisively act against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.—
Rabia Akhtar,
The Conversation,
20 Mar. 2026
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In the lawsuit, the former agents said their firings run afoul of FBI policy, which stipulates that agents can only be removed for cause, such as poor performance on the job, abuse of leave, misconduct, national security concerns or an inability to perform their duties.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The lack of snow has water providers across the state enacting drought restrictions or preparing to do so.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
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While Havana is signaling a willingness to allow foreign investment, many in the community remain skeptical, citing decades of political control and lack of economic transparency.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But, then again, this has been a season largely defined by how queens’ deficiencies can become strengths.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2026
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Getting backed down by Dončić was only one piece of an embarrassing bloodbath for the Bulls that highlighted every facet of this team’s defensive deficiencies.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inadequacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inadequacy. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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