false economy
noun
: something that costs less at first but results in more money being spent later
Using cheap materials proved to be a false economy.
Examples of false economy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
However, rushing it into production could be something of a false economy.
—
Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 26 Apr. 2026
But that approach of only buying raw materials when required was exposed as a false economy in 2011 when China first imposed a ban on the export of rare earths, a Chinese tactic designed to control the supply of commodities, which has recently resurfaced.
—Tim Treadgold, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Europe’s is a false economy, spending less now, but risking spending far more if the conflict spreads in the future.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 24 Feb. 2026
The left more broadly says that deterrence without due process is a false economy and a legal minefield.
—Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025
The False Economy of Customer Labor Self-checkout represents a false economy for retailers.
—Roger Dooley, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
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Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 26 Apr. 2026
But that approach of only buying raw materials when required was exposed as a false economy in 2011 when China first imposed a ban on the export of rare earths, a Chinese tactic designed to control the supply of commodities, which has recently resurfaced.
—Tim Treadgold, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Europe’s is a false economy, spending less now, but risking spending far more if the conflict spreads in the future.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 24 Feb. 2026
The left more broadly says that deterrence without due process is a false economy and a legal minefield.
—Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025
The False Economy of Customer Labor Self-checkout represents a false economy for retailers.
—Roger Dooley, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“False economy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/false%20economy. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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