1
as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
the inadequacy of our servings was soon apparent, as hungry guests started clamoring for seconds
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inability
the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means
tried to blame others in order to hide the inadequacy of his leadership
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inadequacy
His coping mechanism of deflecting shame through humor works only when used to pave over his many inadequacies.
—
Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 2 May 2025
And because Remick is also an insecure sad sack who desperately covets recognition, his personal inadequacies prevent him from doing anything particularly well.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2025
Once a family member dates someone from a different socioeconomic background, feelings of inadequacy or abandonment can be triggered in other family members.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
Then there's social jealousy, like if your daughter didn't get invited to a sleepover, which causes feelings of insecurity or inadequacy.
—Jenna Autuori-Dedic, Parents, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inadequacy
Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 2 May 2025
And because Remick is also an insecure sad sack who desperately covets recognition, his personal inadequacies prevent him from doing anything particularly well.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2025
Once a family member dates someone from a different socioeconomic background, feelings of inadequacy or abandonment can be triggered in other family members.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
Then there's social jealousy, like if your daughter didn't get invited to a sleepover, which causes feelings of insecurity or inadequacy.
—Jenna Autuori-Dedic, Parents, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inadequacy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadequacy
Noun
-
Meanwhile, Californians feel the effects of the shortage of at least 3 million homes in their pocketbooks.—
Laura Friedman,
Oc Register,
7 July 2025
-
Raising a dam also raises the risk of downstream water shortages, ecological disruption, and international tension.—
Joe Salas
July 06,
New Atlas,
6 July 2025
Noun
-
Louis Thuillier was distraught by his inability to know the plight of his subjects; to view the photographs from the distance of a century can imbue the viewer with a similar melancholy.—
Ed Caesar,
New Yorker,
13 July 2025
-
Stevenson should be able to take advantage of Zepeda's inability to stave off jabs.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
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As a result, the carbon dioxide isn't replenished and, along with other mechanisms like the solar winds and the lack of magnetic field, the result was a feedback process that bled off more and more of the atmosphere as more and more of the carbon dioxide was sealed in the minerals.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
12 July 2025
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The report also exposed a laundry list of other procedural and planning errors, including misallocation of resources and a lack of training.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
If the deficiency is prolonged, the plant may stop flowering and fruiting altogether.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 July 2025
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The issue was also declared a significant deficiency in 2020, and Wyandotte officials pledged to begin implementing a residential protection program.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
5 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inadequacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inadequacy. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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