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
Bargains come when people panic, want to get out, and are willing to take an inadequate price. —
Yun Li, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026 Hearing my host family’s stories of grueling work, inadequate health protections, and fear of seeking medical care due to immigration status left a lasting impact on me. —Makenna Morrison Gary, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2026 When Prospect Medical Holdings filed for bankruptcy in January 2025, Manchester Memorial, Waterbury Hospital and Rockville General had already seen years of inadequate staffing and financial challenges. —Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026 More than 30 states rejected the deal as inadequate and continued their litigation. —Rafi Schwartz, TheWeek, 16 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inadequate
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.
Yun Li, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026 Hearing my host family’s stories of grueling work, inadequate health protections, and fear of seeking medical care due to immigration status left a lasting impact on me. —Makenna Morrison Gary, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2026 When Prospect Medical Holdings filed for bankruptcy in January 2025, Manchester Memorial, Waterbury Hospital and Rockville General had already seen years of inadequate staffing and financial challenges. —Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026 More than 30 states rejected the deal as inadequate and continued their litigation. —Rafi Schwartz, TheWeek, 16 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inadequate
Cite this Entry
“Inadequate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/inadequate. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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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