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
used inefficient measures
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
Keeping these efforts at the national level is financially and strategically inefficient.
—
Douglas Rediker, Foreign Affairs, 17 Dec. 2025
In fact, inefficient air distribution can create cold spots in the house, tricking the HVAC system into running even longer and increasing energy consumption.
—Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2025
The caterpillar in the aeronautical salad is that these tend to be mutually exclusive and fuel inefficient.
—New Atlas, 14 Dec. 2025
Yet Republicans have spent years attacking the ACA as a government takeover of the nation’s health care system, one that’s made the delivery of care more inefficient while hiking costs on patients and piling billions of dollars onto federal deficits.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inefficient
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Douglas Rediker, Foreign Affairs, 17 Dec. 2025
In fact, inefficient air distribution can create cold spots in the house, tricking the HVAC system into running even longer and increasing energy consumption.
—Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2025
The caterpillar in the aeronautical salad is that these tend to be mutually exclusive and fuel inefficient.
—New Atlas, 14 Dec. 2025
Yet Republicans have spent years attacking the ACA as a government takeover of the nation’s health care system, one that’s made the delivery of care more inefficient while hiking costs on patients and piling billions of dollars onto federal deficits.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 9 Dec. 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 18 Dec. 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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