inadequacy

[in-ad-i-kwuh-see]

noun

plural

inadequacies 

1. Also inadequateness the state or condition of being inadequate; insufficiency.

2. something inadequate; defect.

   The plan has many inadequacies.

Word History and Origins

Origin of inadequacy¹

First recorded in 1780–90; inadequ(ate) + -acy

Example Sentences

The nine-page text addresses the main flashpoints in Belem: trade measures, demands for greater finance for poorer nations, and the inadequacy of national carbon-cutting pledges.

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And the inadequacy of the opposition’s simple, legalistic case came clear.

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Robinson told the hearing he had been concerned one of the suspects in the case may have been wrongfully detained due to "inadequacies in the case" during the arrest.

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But in practice, it has often led to long environmental reports, studies and reviews, that are sometimes followed by lawsuits over possible inadequacies that can require a restart.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Everybody in Cam’s platoon has something to prove or an internalized inadequacy to overcome, which is what drew him to boot camp, too.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• dearth 
• deficiency 
• failing 
• flaw 
• imperfection 
• incapacity 
• ineffectiveness www.thesaurus.com
• inefficiency 
• ineptitude 
• insufficiency 
• paucity 
• shortcoming 
• weakness