as in unsuccessful
not producing the desired result
inefficient measures to solve the problem of teenage smoking
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inefficient
Critics pointed to technological deficiencies, market distortions, misallocation of capital, inefficient state intervention, corruption, and questions about implementation.
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Dewardric L. McNeal,
CNBC,
28 June 2026
Emergency measures to shed inefficient commitments attached to depreciating assets and clear the decks for the purpose of accumulating future value over the next 24 months will be required to turn this particular franchise around.
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Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
28 June 2026
Cameron was inefficient from the start.
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Kansas City Star,
25 June 2026
There’s nowhere for the air to go if the return is located in another room, and uneven cooling can make your AC unit work harder to try to make up for inefficient airflow.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for inefficient
Dewardric L. McNeal,
CNBC,
28 June 2026
Emergency measures to shed inefficient commitments attached to depreciating assets and clear the decks for the purpose of accumulating future value over the next 24 months will be required to turn this particular franchise around.
—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
28 June 2026
Cameron was inefficient from the start.
—
Kansas City Star,
25 June 2026
There’s nowhere for the air to go if the return is located in another room, and uneven cooling can make your AC unit work harder to try to make up for inefficient airflow.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for inefficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inefficient
Adjective
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More than a decade ago, her association sought the same change at the federal level and was unsuccessful — opposed at the time by Wine Institute.
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The city had taken it over, but several attempts at renovation were unsuccessful, until Alan Leventhal, chief executive of Beacon Capital Partners, happened to see the building and envisioned it as a great hotel.
Adjective
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Conventional interventions have been largely ineffective, suggesting a rate increase may be the strongest tool left for policymakers to stabilize the won.
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While some viral health trends are harmless—or simply ineffective—others can put your health at serious risk.
Adjective
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In his letter, Leo repeated the Vatican's offer of dialogue and said that going through with the consecrations would be counterproductive for the SSPX faithful.
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This sophisticated system prevents metabolically expensive and functionally counterproductive perpetual growth, ensuring hair serves specific protective and insulating roles.
Cite this Entry
“Inefficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inefficient. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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