INEFFICIENCY Synonyms: 21 Similar and Opposite Words

inefficiency

noun

Definition of inefficiency

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.

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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 An enterprising businessman could see this kind of inefficiency and start an assassin training school in Westeros, kind of like whatever is going on with the ballerinas in the John Wick universe. — Brian Grubb, Vulture, 27 July 2026 The inefficiencies of early office work drove developments in information technology and modern management practices. — Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026 Long consultations can signal attentive care in one setting and inefficiency in another. — Deidre Popovich, The Conversation, 22 July 2026 The engine’s inefficiencies comprise the start of what’s not quite right with the little VW. — James Raia, Mercury News, 19 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for inefficiency

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inefficiency

Noun

Yet despite the faction’s inability to win in purple or red districts, democratic socialists enjoy a net favorability of 17 points among Democratic voters nationwide, compared with just 4 points for Democratic members of Congress.

— James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026
That's big news, as one of McCray's biggest problems has been his inability to match up physically against some of the tackles in the SEC.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of inability

Noun

Trump’s incompetence throughout this vendetta against Comey is perhaps its most welcome aspect.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
In an April 2025 meeting, FCMAT CEO Mike Fine said a two-month financial investigation found the district’s problems stemmed from poor budget development and management, incompetence and staff behavior.

— Velvet Wu July 25, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026

Definition of incompetence

Noun

Those forms are not pertinent to the finding of incompetency and are therefore subject to the open records law, Ziegler and Bradley wrote.

— Scott Bauer, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Federal agents have descended upon the home of Cindy Rodriguez Singh, the North Texas mom who was recently sent to a state hospital after an incompetency ruling in the murder of her young son.

— Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 12 May 2026

Definition of incompetency

Noun

But Messi’s lack of influence owed less to his own ineffectiveness than to Spain’s dominance, which starved him of the ball, leaving him to feed off scraps.

— Jack Lang, New York Times, 19 July 2026
The commission has been plagued by partisan infighting and ineffectiveness, as well as chronic vacancies and a lack of funding.

— Jen Fifield, ProPublica, 10 July 2026

Definition of ineffectiveness

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inefficacy

inefficiency

inefficient

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“Inefficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inefficiency. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of inefficiency

noun

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