Inadequate
Inadequate adjective - Not coming up to an expected measure or meeting a particular need.
Usage example: an inadequate amount of food on hand for so many unexpected guests
Lacking is a synonym for inadequate in insufficient topic. In some cases you can use "Lacking" instead an adjective "Inadequate", when it comes to topics like incompetent, defective, deficient, not complete. popular alternative
Nearby Words: inadequacy, inadequately
Lacking
Lacking adjective - Not coming up to an expected measure or meeting a particular need.
Usage example: we felt the afternoon television offerings were somewhat lacking in entertainment value
Inadequate is a synonym for lacking in deficient topic. You can use "Inadequate" instead an adjective "Lacking", if it concerns topics such as insufficient, wanting, not complete. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
Related pairs
Both words in one sentence
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In the end it probably was just Lachesis not wanting to take any chances, as she knew that Mishalu had taken off to Both [with an inadequate forces and lacking experience, so she sent them the heaviest reinforcement she could.
Source: Manga / The Five Star Stories -
There are some religious sects (that will not be named here) that view any expression of unhappiness as a sign of lacking faith, non-commitment (or inadequate commitment) to the faith, wanting to deviate from divinely-ordained roles and expectations, rebellion, etc.
Source: Happiness Is Mandatory
Cite this Source
Lacking and Inadequate. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 16, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/inadequate/lacking
Inadequate & Lacking. N.p., 2016. Web. 16 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/inadequate/lacking>.
Lacking or Inadequate. 2016. Accessed August 16, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/inadequate/lacking.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "inadequate" and "lacking" have occurred on timeline