inadequacy
noun
in·ad·e·qua·cy
(ˌ)i-ˈna-di-kwə-sē 
plural inadequacies
1
: the quality or state of being inadequate
2
Examples of inadequacy in a Sentence
the inadequacy of our servings was soon apparent, as hungry guests started clamoring for seconds
tried to blame others in order to hide the inadequacy of his leadership
Recent Examples on the Web
Anger, withdrawal or defensiveness often serve as protective layers, masking deeper emotional struggles like a fear of abandonment, unmet needs or longstanding feelings of inadequacy.
—
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Tribes say the moves highlight broader concerns about the inadequacy of tribal consultation and the potential for companies to bypass protections for Indigenous land.
—Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 3 July 2025
The late Elie Wiesel, the prolific Nobel Peace Prize-winning author and survivor, spoke often of the inadequacy of language in describing the horrors of the Holocaust.
—Malina Saval, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025
These conversations addressed both the risk of flooding in the Guadalupe Basin and the inadequacy of the existing warning infrastructure.
—ABC News, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for inadequacy
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Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Tribes say the moves highlight broader concerns about the inadequacy of tribal consultation and the potential for companies to bypass protections for Indigenous land.
—Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 3 July 2025
The late Elie Wiesel, the prolific Nobel Peace Prize-winning author and survivor, spoke often of the inadequacy of language in describing the horrors of the Holocaust.
—Malina Saval, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025
These conversations addressed both the risk of flooding in the Guadalupe Basin and the inadequacy of the existing warning infrastructure.
—ABC News, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for inadequacy
Cite this Entry
“Inadequacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inadequacy. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inadequacy
noun
in·ad·e·qua·cy
(ˈ)in-ˈad-i-kwə-sē
plural inadequacies
1
: the quality or state of being inadequate
2
a
: an inadequate amount
b
: a failure to meet expectations
feelings of inadequacy
aware of my own inadequacies
Medical Definition
inadequacy
noun
in·ad·e·qua·cy
(ˈ)in-ˈad-i-kwə-sē
plural inadequacies
: the quality or state of being inadequate
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