as in unsuccessful
not producing the desired result
inefficient measures to solve the problem of teenage smoking
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Recent Examples of inefficient
The sap from plants can also leave these tools sticky and inefficient when put to use.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 10 Feb. 2026
However, producing green hydrogen at scale has remained expensive and inefficient, largely due to the energy required to split water molecules and the reliance on purified water sources.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Feb. 2026
This fragmentation creates blind spots that contribute to adverse drug events, duplication of therapy and inefficient care and harms that ultimately drive up total health care costs.
—Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2026
But both ways can be slow, expensive and inefficient.
—Eric Sullivan, Scientific American, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inefficient
Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 10 Feb. 2026
However, producing green hydrogen at scale has remained expensive and inefficient, largely due to the energy required to split water molecules and the reliance on purified water sources.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Feb. 2026
This fragmentation creates blind spots that contribute to adverse drug events, duplication of therapy and inefficient care and harms that ultimately drive up total health care costs.
—Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2026
But both ways can be slow, expensive and inefficient.
—Eric Sullivan, Scientific American, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inefficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inefficient
Adjective
-
The Star-Telegram attempted to reach Atkins for comment, but was unsuccessful.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Last year, the moderate Democrat took on a crowded field of candidates in an unsuccessful bid to become New York City mayor.—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The introductions of Ruben Dias and Rayan Cherki bolstered City, whereas Slot was slow to take off the ineffective Cody Gakpo, with Jones still waiting to be introduced when the visitors equalised.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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Research consistently shows that competition from private schools encourages public schools to improve communication with families, replace ineffective staff and innovate instruction.—
Paul Vallas,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Sitting inside feels spiritually counterproductive.—
Hannah Towey,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
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Top Tyler leaders haven’t been thrilled with Pappas either, replying to her letters by defending their work and characterizing her correspondence as counterproductive and at times, misleading or hyperbolic.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inefficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inefficient. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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