When you need to describe something that is not sufficient or not up to a required level, inadequate is a word you might use. However, there are several synonyms that can be used instead of inadequate to convey a similar meaning. Some of these synonyms include insufficient, deficient, incomplete, inadequate, lacking, and short-handed. These words can be used to describe a variety of situations and objects that don't meet expectations. When choosing synonyms, it's important to consider the context and intended meaning of the sentence to ensure that the best word is chosen to clearly convey the message.