inadequate

adjective

in·​ad·​e·​quate (ˌ)i-ˈna-di-kwət How to pronounce inadequate (audio)
Synonyms of inadequate
: not adequate : not enough or good enough : insufficient
inadequate equipment
also : not capable
was inadequate as a leader
inadequately adverb
inadequateness noun

Synonyms of inadequate

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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
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.
According to the whistleblower, testing of this new system has been inadequate. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026 Gartner predicts that over 40% of agentic AI projects will be canceled by the end of 2027, citing escalating costs, unclear business value and inadequate risk controls. — Emily Lewis-Pinnell, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Clancy’s legal team has cast brief follow-up visits as inherently inadequate and templated documentation as evidence of impersonal care. — Jennifer Adaeze Okwerekwu, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026 This week, Meta effectively accepted that these features, which largely put the responsibility for supervision on parents rather than the company, were inadequate. — Nathaniel Lubin, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inadequate

Word History

First Known Use

1671, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inadequate was in 1671

Rhymes for inadequate

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Browse Nearby Words

inadequacy
inadequate
in a different league
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Cite this Entry

“Inadequate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inadequate. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

inadequate

adjective
in·​ad·​e·​quate (ˈ)in-ˈad-i-kwət How to pronounce inadequate (audio)
: not adequate : not enough or not good enough
an inadequate supply of food
inadequately adverb

Medical Definition

inadequate

1 of 2 adjective
in·​ad·​e·​quate -i-kwət How to pronounce inadequate (audio)
1
: not adequate : deficient
an inadequate dose
inadequate perfusion
inadequate diets
2
: lacking the capacity for psychological maturity or adequate social adjustment
an inadequate personality
inadequately adverb

inadequate

2 of 2 noun
: one who is inadequate especially in terms of social adjustment
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