inefficient
adjective
in·ef·fi·cient
ˌi-nə-ˈfi-shənt 
: not efficient: such as
a
: wasteful of time or energy
inefficient operating procedures
b
: incapable, incompetent
an inefficient worker
c
: not producing the effect intended or desired
inefficient
noun
inefficiently
adverb
Examples of inefficient in a Sentence
The delivery system was very inefficient.
an inefficient use of fuel
Recent Examples on the Web
Hardware orders in late March reached new records, indicating operators are swapping out inefficient rigs rather than capitulating.
—
Dave Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
More importantly, Brunson is coming off a 34-point night in Game 1 despite a rare inefficient shooting night.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
That change is avoidable, Dalio said, if lawmakers work together to trim the deficit and the U.S. discourages conflict and inefficient policy on the global stage.
—Russell Leung, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2025
Argentina got into the habit of subsidizing inefficient local industries and printing increasingly more money to try to sustain living standards.
—Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inefficient
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Dave Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
More importantly, Brunson is coming off a 34-point night in Game 1 despite a rare inefficient shooting night.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
That change is avoidable, Dalio said, if lawmakers work together to trim the deficit and the U.S. discourages conflict and inefficient policy on the global stage.
—Russell Leung, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2025
Argentina got into the habit of subsidizing inefficient local industries and printing increasingly more money to try to sustain living standards.
—Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inefficient
Cite this Entry
“Inefficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inefficient. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inefficient
adjective
in·ef·fi·cient
ˌin-ə-ˈfish-ənt
1
: not producing the effect expected or desired
inefficient regulations
2
: wasteful of time or energy
inefficient procedures
especially
: accomplishing little relative to the time spent or effort expended
an inefficient worker
inefficiently
adverb
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