inefficient
adjective
in·ef·fi·cient
ˌi-nə-ˈfi-shənt 
: not efficient: such as
a
: wasteful of time or energy
inefficient operating procedures
b
: incapable, incompetent
an inefficient worker
c
: not producing the effect intended or desired
inefficient
noun
inefficiently
adverb
Examples of inefficient in a Sentence
The delivery system was very inefficient.
an inefficient use of fuel
Recent Examples on the Web
More than half of C-suite leaders who responded are also concerned about existing document generation workflows and see their processes as inefficient.
—
Julien Villemonteix, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
But airdrops are regarded by aid agencies as expensive, inefficient and sometimes dangerous.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 27 July 2025
Not only had the model lost its novelty, but the 1970s oil crisis had made inefficient performance vehicles a lot less appealing to customers, even those in the market for a Porsche.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 23 July 2025
Oakland’s current system, including competing branches and organizational disconnections, is inefficient and ineffective.
—Nate Miley, Mercury News, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for inefficient
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Julien Villemonteix, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
But airdrops are regarded by aid agencies as expensive, inefficient and sometimes dangerous.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 27 July 2025
Not only had the model lost its novelty, but the 1970s oil crisis had made inefficient performance vehicles a lot less appealing to customers, even those in the market for a Porsche.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 23 July 2025
Oakland’s current system, including competing branches and organizational disconnections, is inefficient and ineffective.
—Nate Miley, Mercury News, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for inefficient
Cite this Entry
“Inefficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inefficient. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inefficient
adjective
in·ef·fi·cient
ˌin-ə-ˈfish-ənt
1
: not producing the effect expected or desired
inefficient regulations
2
: wasteful of time or energy
inefficient procedures
especially
: accomplishing little relative to the time spent or effort expended
an inefficient worker
inefficiently
adverb
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