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
Education veterans told me that the department certainly has bloat and inefficiencies.
—
Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
This is about fiscal responsibility — addressing the deficit, identifying operational inefficiencies and maintaining core services.
—Henry Foster Iii, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
The platform’s new AI agent, René, allows dispatchers and fleet managers to investigate operational inefficiencies through simple conversational queries, identifying the root causes of issues like excessive overtime or route deviations.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 16 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for inefficiency
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Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
This is about fiscal responsibility — addressing the deficit, identifying operational inefficiencies and maintaining core services.
—Henry Foster Iii, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
The platform’s new AI agent, René, allows dispatchers and fleet managers to investigate operational inefficiencies through simple conversational queries, identifying the root causes of issues like excessive overtime or route deviations.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 16 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for inefficiency
Cite this Entry
“Inefficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inefficiency. Accessed 27 Apr. 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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