inadequate
adjective
in·ad·e·quate
(ˌ)i-ˈna-di-kwət 
: not adequate : not enough or good enough : insufficient
inadequate equipment
also
: not capable
was inadequate as a leader
inadequately
adverb
inadequateness
noun
Examples of inadequate in a Sentence
These supplies are inadequate to meet our needs.
We were given very inadequate information.
I felt inadequate to the task.
Her brother's success and popularity always made her feel inadequate.
Recent Examples on the Web
Last December, a tiff erupted between billionaire entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, on the one side, and MAGA champions including Steve Bannon, over the formers’ claims that H-1B workers are needed because the homegrown tech workforce is inadequate.
—
Alec MacGillis, ProPublica, 3 June 2025
And for many, forgiveness might seem an inadequate response, given available options like anger, bitterness, hatred, revenge, retribution.
—Kevin Sack, Time, 3 June 2025
Yesterday’s announcement that Israel will allow a basic quantity of food into Gaza is wholly inadequate.
—Tara Suter, The Hill, 1 June 2025
Renewable energies alone are inadequate for that purpose.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
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Alec MacGillis, ProPublica, 3 June 2025
And for many, forgiveness might seem an inadequate response, given available options like anger, bitterness, hatred, revenge, retribution.
—Kevin Sack, Time, 3 June 2025
Yesterday’s announcement that Israel will allow a basic quantity of food into Gaza is wholly inadequate.
—Tara Suter, The Hill, 1 June 2025
Renewable energies alone are inadequate for that purpose.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Cite this Entry
“Inadequate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inadequate. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inadequate
adjective
in·ad·e·quate
(ˈ)in-ˈad-i-kwət
: not adequate : not enough or not good enough
an inadequate supply of food
inadequately
adverb
Medical Definition
inadequate
2 of 2 noun
: one who is inadequate especially in terms of social adjustment
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