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Definitions

inadequacy

[in-ad-i-kwuh-see] / ɪnˈæd ɪ kwə si /
NOUN
shortage, defect, inability
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dearth deficiency failing flaw imperfection incapacity ineffectiveness inefficiency ineptitude insufficiency paucity shortcoming weakness
STRONG
blemish defalcation defectiveness deficit drawback faultiness inadequateness inaptness incompetence incompetency incompleteness ineffectualness inefficacy lack meagerness poverty scantiness unfitness unsuitableness
WEAK
skimpiness underage
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abundance advantage perfection plenty strength strong point sufficiency
STRONG
enough excess extra
WEAK
ability adequacy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff on Tuesday decried the inadequacy of medical care within the state’s newest and largest immigration detention center.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 20, 2026

The nine-page text addresses the main flashpoints in Belem: trade measures, demands for greater finance for poorer nations, and the inadequacy of national carbon-cutting pledges.

From Barron's • Nov. 18, 2025

Everybody in Cam’s platoon has something to prove or an internalized inadequacy to overcome, which is what drew him to boot camp, too.

From Salon • Oct. 10, 2025

Promoting RRM may reinforce the sense of shame or inadequacy experienced by women who are unable to conceive.

From Slate • Oct. 7, 2025

We lived once again in married student housing, a plywood apartment complex set among pine trees, and the singular topic of conversation among our young neighbors was the inadequacy of these rattletrap tenements.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.