inefficiency
noun
in·ef·fi·cien·cy
ˌi-nə-ˈfi-shən(t)-sē 
plural inefficiencies
1
: the quality or state of being inefficient
2
: something that is inefficient
Examples of inefficiency in a Sentence
The candidate blamed her opponent for the local government's inefficiency.
She claims that money can be saved by reducing inefficiencies.
Recent Examples on the Web
As organizations grow, the firm notes that a significant portion of inefficiency often arises from the coordination effort required across tools, updates, and communication layers.
—
Matt Emma, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
As ProPublica reported last summer, DOGE did nothing to address this, mostly ignoring SSI despite its obvious inefficiencies.
—Eli Hager, ProPublica, 28 Apr. 2026
If this is the true face of the AI industry—a technological triumphalism that sees human thought as an inefficiency to overcome and human distinctiveness as a myth to debunk—the differences between the Church and Silicon Valley may prove irreconcilable.
—Elias Wachtel, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2026
Education veterans told me that the department certainly has bloat and inefficiencies.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inefficiency
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Matt Emma, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
As ProPublica reported last summer, DOGE did nothing to address this, mostly ignoring SSI despite its obvious inefficiencies.
—Eli Hager, ProPublica, 28 Apr. 2026
If this is the true face of the AI industry—a technological triumphalism that sees human thought as an inefficiency to overcome and human distinctiveness as a myth to debunk—the differences between the Church and Silicon Valley may prove irreconcilable.
—Elias Wachtel, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2026
Education veterans told me that the department certainly has bloat and inefficiencies.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inefficiency
Cite this Entry
“Inefficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inefficiency. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inefficiency
noun
in·ef·fi·cien·cy
ˌin-ə-ˈfish-ən-sē
plural inefficiencies
1
: the quality or state of being inefficient
2
: something that is inefficient
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