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
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 Department of Government Efficiency’s proposal to cut up to 25% of IRS staffing earlier this year is a textbook case of false economy.
—Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 23 June 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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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 Department of Government Efficiency’s proposal to cut up to 25% of IRS staffing earlier this year is a textbook case of false economy.
—Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 23 June 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 12 Mar. 2026.
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