The inadequacy of something is the fact that there is not enough of it, or that it is not good enough.
...the inadequacy of the water supply. [+ of]
The inadequacies of the current system have already been recognised.
Synonyms: shortage, poverty, dearth, paucity [formal] More Synonyms of inadequacy
2. uncountable noun
If someone has feelings of inadequacy, they feel that they do not have the qualities and abilities necessary to do something or to cope with life in general.
The feeling of inadequacy was overpowering.
...his deep-seated sense of inadequacy.
Synonyms: incompetence, inability, deficiency, incapacity More Synonyms of inadequacy
More Synonyms of inadequacy
inadequacy in American English
(ɪnˈædɪkwəsi)
nounWord forms: pluralinˈadequacies
quality, state, or instance of being inadequate
Examples of 'inadequacy' in a sentence
inadequacy
Doctors can feel a dreadful sense of personal failure and inadequacy if they struggle to keep working.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Something to do with thinly veiled social inadequacy, childhood and shame.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Your obituary listed the many publications he produced highlighting the inadequacies of education in this country.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In a report published today the regulator highlights inadequacies in courses taken by further education teachers.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Fast growth will highlight the inadequacies of the business much more than organic growth.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Staff shortages mean that one is always firefighting and coping with the inadequacies of the system.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Being critical and defensive lets them change the conversation away from their own inadequacies to the failure of others.
Christianity Today (2000)
What undoubtedly helped her to adjust was that she found a peer group that helped to neutralise her social inadequacies.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In its sombre way, it highlights the inadequacy of the penalties for dangerous driving.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
A particular failing was the inadequacy of systems that recorded traders' phone conversations.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
When the resolutions fail to come to pass, as resolutions are wont to do, they can trigger feelings of failure and inadequacy.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The mismatch of this with the day-to-day reality of much of new parenthood can easily lead to feelings of personal inadequacy, shame and failure.
Pearson, Althea Growing Through Loss and Grief (1994)
In other languages
inadequacy
British English: inadequacy NOUN
The inadequacy of something is the fact that there is not enough of it, or that it is not good enough.
...the inadequacy of the water supply.
American English: inadequacy
Brazilian Portuguese: impropriedade
Chinese: 不足
European Spanish: insuficiencia
French: insuffisance
German: Unzulänglichkeit
Italian: insufficienza
Japanese: 不足
Korean: 불충분함
European Portuguese: impropriedade
Latin American Spanish: insuficiencia
Chinese translation of 'inadequacy'
inadequacy
(ɪnˈædɪkwəsɪ)
n(c/u)
[of system, preparations]不充分 (bù chōngfèn)
[of person]不胜(勝)任 (bù shèngrèn)
1 (noun)
Definition
lack or shortage
the inadequacy of the water supply
Synonyms
shortage
There's no shortage of ideas.
poverty
a poverty of ideas
dearth
a dearth of resources
paucity (formal)
the paucity of information
insufficiency
Anaemia is due to insufficiency of iron.
incompleteness
meagreness
skimpiness
scantiness
inadequateness
2 (noun)
Definition
the state of being or feeling inferior
a deep-seated sense of inadequacy
Synonyms
incompetence
The incompetence of government officials is appalling.
inability
Her inability to concentrate could cause an accident.
deficiency
They did tests for signs of vitamin deficiency.
incapacity
They have a total incapacity to laugh at themselves.
ineffectiveness
incompetency
unfitness
inefficacy
defectiveness
inaptness
faultiness
unsuitableness
3 (noun)
Definition
a weakness or failing
We all make an effort to ignore our own inadequacies.
Synonyms
shortcoming
His book has its shortcomings.
failing
We are often unaware of our own failings.
lack
Despite his lack of experience, he got the job.
weakness
His main weakness was his bad temper.
shortage
defect
The report pointed out the defects in the present system.
imperfection
He concedes that there are imperfections in the socialist system.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of dearth
Definition
an inadequate amount
a dearth of resources
Synonyms
lack,
want,
need,
absence,
poverty,
shortage,
deficiency,
famine,
inadequacy,
scarcity,
paucity (formal),
insufficiency,
sparsity,
scantiness,
exiguousness
in the sense of defect
Definition
an imperfection or blemish
The report pointed out the defects in the present system.