Inadequacy — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /(ˌ)i-ˈna-di-kwə-sē/ in·ad·e·qua·cy

Meaning & Definition of Inadequacy

Inadequacy (noun)

  1. the quality or state of being inadequate
  2. insufficiency, deficiency

Inadequacy (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number

    "the inadequacy of our servings was soon apparent, as hungry guests started clamoring for seconds"

    similar: crunch, dearth, deficiency, deficit, drought, failure, famine, inadequateness, insufficiency, lack, lacuna, paucity, pinch, poverty, scantiness, scarceness, scarcity, shortage, undersupply, want
    related: absence, omission, meagerness, poorness, skimpiness, necessity, need, privation
    opposite: abundance, adequacy, amplitude, opulence, plenitude, plenty, sufficiency, wealth
    near: bountifulness, copiousness, excess, overabundance, oversupply, surfeit, surplus

  2. the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means

    "tried to blame others in order to hide the inadequacy of his leadership"

    similar: impotence, inability, incapability, incapacity, incompetence, incompetency, ineptitude, insufficiency, powerlessness
    related: disqualification, inaptitude, ineffectiveness, ineffectuality, ineffectualness, inefficaciousness, inefficacy, inefficiency
    opposite: ability, adequacy, capability, capacity, competence, competency, potency
    near: aptitude, bent, endowment, flair, genius, gift, knack, talent, effectiveness, effectualness, efficaciousness, efficiency, fitness, suitability, suitableness, potency, power, puissance, sinew, strength

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Inadequacy

The most common words with a similar meaning to Inadequacy:

crunch, dearth, deficiency, deficit, drought, failure, famine, inadequateness, insufficiency, lack, lacuna, paucity, pinch, poverty, scantiness, scarceness, scarcity, shortage, undersupply, want, impotence, inability, incapability, incapacity, incompetence, incompetency, ineptitude, powerlessness

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Inadequacy

Words with the opposite meaning of Inadequacy:

abundance, adequacy, amplitude, opulence, plenitude, plenty, sufficiency, wealth, ability, capability, capacity, competence, competency, potency

Related Words for Inadequacy

absence, omission, meagerness, poorness, skimpiness, necessity, need, privation, disqualification, inaptitude, ineffectiveness, ineffectuality, ineffectualness, inefficaciousness, inefficacy, inefficiency

Near Antonyms of Inadequacy

bountifulness, copiousness, excess, overabundance, oversupply, surfeit, surplus, aptitude, bent, endowment, flair, genius, gift, knack, talent, effectiveness, effectualness, efficaciousness, efficiency, fitness, suitability, suitableness, power, puissance, sinew, strength

Word Forms of Inadequacy

Inflections: inadequacies

Origin & Etymology of Inadequacy

First known use: 1786

Frequently Asked Questions about Inadequacy

What does "Inadequacy" mean?

"Inadequacy" means the quality or state of being inadequate. As a noun, it is defined as: the quality or state of being inadequate. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Inadequacy"?

Other words for "Inadequacy" include crunch, dearth, deficiency, deficit, drought, failure, famine and inadequateness. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Inadequacy" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Inadequacy"?

There are 44 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Inadequacy". Common alternatives include crunch, dearth, deficiency, deficit, drought, failure, famine, inadequateness, insufficiency and lack.

What is the opposite of "Inadequacy"?

Antonyms of "Inadequacy" include abundance, adequacy, amplitude, opulence, plenitude, plenty, sufficiency and wealth. Near antonyms include bountifulness, copiousness, excess and overabundance.

How do you use "Inadequacy" in a sentence?

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".

Is "Inadequacy" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Inadequacy" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Inadequacy"?

"Inadequacy" is pronounced /(ˌ)i-ˈna-di-kwə-sē/ and divided into syllables as in·ad·e·qua·cy.

What is the origin of the word "Inadequacy"?

First known use: 1786.