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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Recent Examples of inefficiency
His focus was less on where to spend the surplus and more on reducing inefficiency, cutting bureaucracy and stretching taxpayer dollars further.
—
Adam Beam, AJC.com, 15 Apr. 2026
The increasing reliance on local intermediaries for revenue collection reduced imperial control and led to corruption and inefficiency.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Apr. 2026
By suppressing energy losses and improving how high-energy photons are handled, the system addresses one of the core inefficiencies in solar conversion.
—New Atlas, 13 Apr. 2026
The moving and logistics sector has struggled to keep pace with changing consumer expectations, and has traditionally been defined by inconsistent service and operational inefficiencies.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inefficiency
Adam Beam, AJC.com, 15 Apr. 2026
The increasing reliance on local intermediaries for revenue collection reduced imperial control and led to corruption and inefficiency.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Apr. 2026
By suppressing energy losses and improving how high-energy photons are handled, the system addresses one of the core inefficiencies in solar conversion.
—New Atlas, 13 Apr. 2026
The moving and logistics sector has struggled to keep pace with changing consumer expectations, and has traditionally been defined by inconsistent service and operational inefficiencies.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inefficiency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inefficiency
Noun
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Even when Florida’s lead was insurmountable, Golden was conscious of when to play Rioux because of his inability to keep up with the pace of the game and maintain endurance.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
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The questions go to the heart of the frustration expressed by business leaders such as Sim Tshabalala, Standard Bank’s boss, who warned just this month at Semafor World Economy that South Africa’s anemic economic growth was down to the state’s basic inability to uphold the rule of law.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The incompetence at every level worsens and only two incompetents have been removed.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
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Trump’s complaints included accusations of impropriety and incompetence in Powell’s leadership of the renovation.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The reproduction of systemic racism occurs not simply through white denial but also through the promotion of cultural incompetency.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Mar. 2026
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The District Attorney’s Office said a finding of incompetency does not dismiss the case or result in a defendant’s release, and that proceedings will resume if Mock is later deemed competent.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Delaying this only demonstrates the organization’s ineffectiveness in today’s NBA.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
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Those numbers make Kaprizov’s ineffectiveness even more sobering as the Wild search for answers against the Stars.—
Dane Mizutani,
Twin Cities,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inefficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inefficiency. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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