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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inadequate
And even trees raised with all the love and care in the world can fall victim to parasites, infections, inadequate care — or simply years.
—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Amid sharp criticism over what some saw as an inadequate NYPD response, Menin vowed to pass a bill requiring the buffer zones.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
Doctors and nurses have complained bitterly about the situation, which forces them to provide inadequate care.
—Elisabeth Rosenthal, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
And yet the criminal proceedings still seemed completely inadequate to all the women.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Amid sharp criticism over what some saw as an inadequate NYPD response, Menin vowed to pass a bill requiring the buffer zones.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
Doctors and nurses have complained bitterly about the situation, which forces them to provide inadequate care.
—Elisabeth Rosenthal, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
And yet the criminal proceedings still seemed completely inadequate to all the women.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inadequate
Adjective
-
The detainees—from Pakistan, India, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Myanmar and eight other nations—were found in restricted compounds, some lacking passports or proper immigration documentation.—
Rodney Muhumuza,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
If your yard is a bit lacking in colorful birds, adding a feeder can help attract all sorts of them.—
Brittany VanDerBill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Salt Lake County district attorney’s office and the Draper City prosecutor both declined to file charges against Paul in April, citing insufficient evidence to prove allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.—
Senior Television,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
The Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office and the Draper City Prosecutor both declined to file charges against Paul in April, citing insufficient evidence to prove allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
The sharp debate in Union Park is only the latest in a series of thorny confrontations about how best to manage homelessness in the Central Florida region, where housing costs are high, shelter space is scarce, and residents are concerned about people living in public spaces.—
Ryan Gillespie,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
-
As costs of both real estate and farming continue to rise, many parcels are vanishing without notice, making wine made from old vines increasingly scarce, especially in Napa.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The group, originally signed to RCA Records, released two albums of bustling synth pop and opened for Harry Styles in the late twenty-tens but was cast off in the early days of the pandemic owing to low sales.—
Dan Stahl,
New Yorker,
1 May 2026
-
Senators Chris Murphy and Ruben Gallego have spoken publicly about wanting to pursue this, and Bedoya notes that there’s precedent for this action, citing Democrats’ recent introduction of a bill to break up the meatpacking industry to create lower prices for consumers.—
Hershal Pandya,
Vulture,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inadequate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inadequate. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
