as in inability
the lack of ability to do something or produce something without wasting materials, time, or energy
The candidate blamed her opponent for the local government's inefficiency.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inefficiency
Tariffs are taxes burdening the movement of goods while imposing inefficiencies into the marketplace.
—
Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
Further compounding the issue is the astronomical cost of investigational product of research, driven upward over decades by escalating evidentiary standards, increasingly complex trial designs, and entrenched operational inefficiencies.
—Elise Felicione, STAT, 26 Feb. 2026
That is where zone mapping comes in, offering a practical solution to common kitchen inefficiencies, such as unnecessary steps and clutter.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026
There's a lot of redundancies, duplication, as well as inefficiencies there.
—Domi Suskova, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inefficiency
Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
Further compounding the issue is the astronomical cost of investigational product of research, driven upward over decades by escalating evidentiary standards, increasingly complex trial designs, and entrenched operational inefficiencies.
—Elise Felicione, STAT, 26 Feb. 2026
That is where zone mapping comes in, offering a practical solution to common kitchen inefficiencies, such as unnecessary steps and clutter.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026
There's a lot of redundancies, duplication, as well as inefficiencies there.
—Domi Suskova, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inefficiency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inefficiency
Noun
-
Punch was the best big man on the floor with 24 points and 10 rebounds, but Edmonds’ inability to make an impact with just five points played a big role in TCU falling.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Rozman has been teaching chess for years, and in his experience, chess obliterates a kid’s inability to cope with defeat.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The charges of incompetence and making untrue representations remain in place and will be considered at the second hearing, now scheduled for July 23-24, 2026.—
Clark Kauffman,
Iowa Capital Dispatch,
13 Mar. 2026
-
What was happening in Afghanistan was a catastrophe, and there was just no way to defend the utter incompetence on display for the whole world to see.—
Chris Roemer,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The District Attorney’s Office said a finding of incompetency does not dismiss the case or result in a defendant’s release, and that proceedings will resume if Mock is later deemed competent.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Maybe that data suggests incompetency in the sporting director role.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Stroud’s struggles also contributed to Kirk’s ineffectiveness.—
Matt Barrows,
New York Times,
16 Mar. 2026
-
And maybe Christian Braun and Cam Johnson, cast in proper roles, will figure it out after experiencing underwhelming seasons because of injuries and ineffectiveness.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inefficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inefficiency. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
