inadequacy

noun

in·​ad·​e·​qua·​cy (ˌ)i-ˈna-di-kwə-sē How to pronounce inadequacy (audio)
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 Kerr has been nagged ever since by the inadequacy of science, and of language, to fully capture the mysteries of the mind. Phoebe Zerwick, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024 This stark inequity highlights the inadequacy of current prevention efforts in effectively reaching and addressing the specific needs of Black women. Larada Lee, Essence, 9 Mar. 2024 Witnessing their achievements has, at times, created a sense of inadequacy about my own life. Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 But even those guidelines are insufficient: an investigation of prior campaigns in Gaza reveals the inadequacy of Israeli targeting guidelines, which do not truly curb civilian casualties. Avner Gvaryahu, Foreign Affairs, 4 Mar. 2024 North Carolina Agriculture and Technology State University professor Jelani Favors argued that the funding inadequacy has been holding Black Americans back since the 19th century. Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 12 Jan. 2024 Of those, 982 were identified as contaminated with PFAS compounds, with 299 having detections of total PFAS over 70 parts per trillion, the EPA's previous lifetime health advisory level set in 2016 that's now being reconsidered due to its inadequacy to protect public health. Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press, 4 Mar. 2024 The pandemic has served as a stark reminder of the inadequacy of previous leadership models, pushing leaders to confront and mitigate team anxieties associated with the shift to hybrid or fully remote models. Eddy Vertil, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 Other physicians emphasized the current inadequacies in American mental-health care as a reason any futility judgment would be ethically tenuous. Katie Engelhart, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inadequacy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1787, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of inadequacy was in 1787

Dictionary Entries Near inadequacy

Cite this Entry

“Inadequacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inadequacy. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

inadequacy

noun
in·​ad·​e·​qua·​cy (ˈ)in-ˈad-i-kwə-sē How to pronounce inadequacy (audio)
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 How to pronounce inadequacy (audio)
plural inadequacies
: the quality or state of being inadequate

More from Merriam-Webster on inadequacy

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