18
shy(adjective, failing, lacking)
17
insufficient(adjective, strong, poor, lacking, enough)
14
inadequate(adjective, poor, incompetent, insufficient, defective)
8
unsuitable(adjective, poor, insufficient)
7
subpar
6
meager(adjective, poor, small, inadequate, substantial)
5
inferior(adjective, poor, insufficient)
5
useless(adjective, poor, insufficient)
5
unsatisfactory(adjective, poor, inadequate, acceptable, insufficient)
4
poor(adjective, strong, noble, inadequate, insufficient)
4
incompetent(adjective, poor, insufficient)
4
jejune
4
niggardly
4
sub-par
3
deficient(adjective, inadequate, imperfect)
3
unequal(adjective, poor, insufficient)
3
unfit(adjective, poor, insufficient)
3
incapable(adjective, strong, fit, poor, insufficient)
3
intolerable(adjective, poor, insufficient)
3
skimpy(adjective, inadequate, generous, sparse)
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APASmart Define. (2016). adequate thesaurus. Retrieved September 24, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/adequate/thesaurus/antonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2016. "adequate thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/adequate/thesaurus/antonyms (accessed September 24, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2016, adequate thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 24 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/adequate/thesaurus/antonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "adequate thesaurus" 29 March 2016. Web. 24 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/adequate/thesaurus/antonyms>