noun
inadequacy
ih-NA-dihk-wuh-see
noun
1
The state of not being good enough or sufficient for what's needed.
"The report exposed serious inadequacies in the hospital's safety procedures."
2
A feeling of not being capable or good enough.
"He struggled with a deep sense of inadequacy after losing his job."
How to Use Inadequacy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFalling short — either a system that doesn't work well enough, or a personal feeling of not measuring up.
Common pairings
feelings of inadequacy
expose inadequacies
sense of inadequacy
Word Forms
inadequacies plural
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He struggled with a deep sense of _____ after losing his job.
Etymology
From inadequate plus -cy, or in- plus adequacy.