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
Water contaminated by industrial activities and inadequate wastewater treatment can lead to widespread contamination of agricultural soils.
—
David Bressan, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Their inadequate winter clothes were only what the smugglers provided, the survivor told the jury.
—Steve Karnowski, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 May 2025
Manpower shortages, inadequate staff training and experience, a lack of supervision and insufficient head counts contributed to the escape last year, authorities said at the time.
—CBS News, 23 May 2025
When their work is considered inadequate, a perfectionistic leader’s anger can threaten psychological safety in the workplace.
—Esade Business & Law School, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
David Bressan, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Their inadequate winter clothes were only what the smugglers provided, the survivor told the jury.
—Steve Karnowski, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 May 2025
Manpower shortages, inadequate staff training and experience, a lack of supervision and insufficient head counts contributed to the escape last year, authorities said at the time.
—CBS News, 23 May 2025
When their work is considered inadequate, a perfectionistic leader’s anger can threaten psychological safety in the workplace.
—Esade Business & Law School, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadequate
Adjective
-
That proposal was rejected due to insufficient funding.—
David A. Deptula,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
-
During that time, Israel allowed in a fluctuating, almost always insufficient number of aid trucks.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
11 June 2025
Adjective
-
That's key in a country where good-paying jobs are scarce.—
Omkar Khandekar,
NPR,
8 June 2025
-
Yet with the old rail factory at Qadam station in disrepair, the know-how to forge, repair, and maintain Ottoman rail is scarce.—
Taylor Luck,
Christian Science Monitor,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
But the three-time Oscar winner makes the most out of every line reading, not by going big (a near impossibility in an Anderson movie) but by setting Felicity’s fears and annoyances to a very low simmer.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
12 June 2025
-
Steer clear of puddles - Driving into puddles or low areas of rainwater can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inadequate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inadequate. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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