inadequacy

[ in-ad-i-kwuh-see ]

noun

, plural in·ad·e·qua·cies

1. Also in·ad·e·quate·ness [] 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

It wasn’t; it was a hoary old chestnut that had already proved its inadequacy.

From Los Angeles Times

Videos that he secretly filmed inside showed how tightly packed everyone was, as well as the inadequacy of the daily rations.

From BBC

Biden also had a ton of money, and the inadequacy of his campaign operation overwhelmed his financial advantage.

From Slate

While "DEI hire" ticks these boxes — on the surface discrediting the target's qualifications by claiming a policy privileges their race or gender, while underneath tying that alleged inadequacy to the target's race or gender, if not standing in for a slur — the plausible deniability component of its function is much harder to locate.

From Salon

She believes those pervasive feelings of inadequacy are fueled by our omnipresent opportunities for comparison.

From Salon

Related Words

• dearth
• deficiency
• failing
• flaw
• imperfection
• incapacity
• ineffectiveness
• inefficiency
• ineptitude
• insufficiency
• paucity
• shortcoming
• weakness