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View synonyms for inadequate

inadequate

[in-ad-i-kwit]

adjective

  1. not good enough for the purpose; inept or unsuitable.

    This old tent they gave us is completely inadequate—it’s equally bad at keeping out both the rain and the bugs!

    Antonyms: sufficient
  2. not sufficient for the purpose; not enough.

    The set of linens we received was so inadequate, we were asking friends for a loan of napkins and tablecloths.

  3. Psychiatry.,  ineffectual in response to emotional, social, intellectual, and physical demands in the absence of any obvious mental or physical deficiency.



inadequate

/ ɪnˈædɪkwɪt /

adjective

  1. not adequate; insufficient

  2. not capable or competent; lacking

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • inadequately adverb
  • inadequacy noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of inadequate1

First recorded in 1665–75; in- 3 + adequate
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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He said regulation of those machines was "totally inadequate".

Read more on BBC

In interviews, she openly admitted to feeling inadequate in her signature halting, circular stammers.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But that same year, Marineland was found guilty, under Ontario's animal cruelty laws, of abusing and neglecting three young black bears who were kept in small enclosures with inadequate access to water for months.

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He argues that the real tragic ending is to remain connected to a parent who makes you feel inadequate or terrible all the time.

An inadequate plan doesn’t cover the types of healthcare visits and medications a beneficiary needs.

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inadequacyin a dither