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
But the reports that got out focused on the inefficiency of the military, and the atrocities that were done against Filipino soldiers and Filipino civilians by American soldiers.
—
Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
By analyzing historical usage patterns, asset performance, and external factors such as weather or production cycles, AI can help operators anticipate demand, identify inefficiencies, and make smarter decisions about system design and operation.
—Gary Drenik, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
As the scholars Rachel Barkow and Mark Osler, as well as the former pardon attorney Margaret Love, have pointed out, there are inefficiencies within the bureaucratic pardoning process, which can stretch on for years.
—Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Companies with market capitalizations of $2 billion and $10 billion come with the inefficiencies of smaller firms but the liquidity of bigger names, Lau said.
—Chunzi Xu, Bloomberg, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inefficiency
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Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
By analyzing historical usage patterns, asset performance, and external factors such as weather or production cycles, AI can help operators anticipate demand, identify inefficiencies, and make smarter decisions about system design and operation.
—Gary Drenik, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
As the scholars Rachel Barkow and Mark Osler, as well as the former pardon attorney Margaret Love, have pointed out, there are inefficiencies within the bureaucratic pardoning process, which can stretch on for years.
—Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Companies with market capitalizations of $2 billion and $10 billion come with the inefficiencies of smaller firms but the liquidity of bigger names, Lau said.
—Chunzi Xu, Bloomberg, 27 Jan. 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 4 Feb. 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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Merriam-Webster unabridged
