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
The metaphor of a bucket of cold water is inadequate.
—
Óscar Martínez & Carlos Martínez, The Dial, 16 Sep. 2025
Despite this growing threat, current protections for young athletes are inconsistent and often inadequate.
—Laura Schifter, Time, 13 Sep. 2025
What progress has been public has been from outside that investigation, like State Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s office issuing a report that found the MSP’s training is inadequate.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
More than half of these women have left their jobs under the weight of these tasks, with two-thirds citing inadequate employer support.
—Liz Teran, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Óscar Martínez & Carlos Martínez, The Dial, 16 Sep. 2025
Despite this growing threat, current protections for young athletes are inconsistent and often inadequate.
—Laura Schifter, Time, 13 Sep. 2025
What progress has been public has been from outside that investigation, like State Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s office issuing a report that found the MSP’s training is inadequate.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
More than half of these women have left their jobs under the weight of these tasks, with two-thirds citing inadequate employer support.
—Liz Teran, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadequate
Adjective
-
Bringing out the playmaker While Horn got paid a record-setting contract in March, the national buzz about his talent has been somewhat lacking.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
18 Sep. 2025
-
The greatest challenge for Stone, then, was injecting personality into an 11,000-square-foot house that was initially quite lacking in it.—
Juliet Izon,
Architectural Digest,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
However, protesters argue that current approaches remain insufficient given the urgency of the climate crisis.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
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Siebert had recently told senior Justice Department officials that his office found insufficient evidence to charge James, according to The New York Times.—
Ian Swanson,
The Hill,
21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The position of elementary education among the least susceptible to poverty might be surprising, but elementary school teachers are scarce and in demand.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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The number of investigations is scarce not because of a lack of potential violations.—
Max Blau,
ProPublica,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Major House personalities head for the door as 2026 rolls around, leaving many wondering how the lower chamber will change with these shifts.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
21 Sep. 2025
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The defense for Texas has held up its end of the bargain, stopping the run well, allowing one of the lowest rushing yard totals per game in the country.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inadequate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inadequate. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
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