as in unsuccessful
not producing the desired result
inefficient measures to solve the problem of teenage smoking
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inefficient
But the system is grossly inefficient and the criteria for how much money to hand out is arbitrary.
—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
22 June 2026
This process was time-consuming, inefficient, and vulnerable to human judgment.
—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
21 June 2026
What appears elegant to a human reader often appears inefficient to an AI system.
—
Sreedhar Potarazu,
Baltimore Sun,
20 June 2026
These bloated and inefficient school districts are sacred cows whose tax bases, and our tax bills, are growing without restraint.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for inefficient
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
22 June 2026
This process was time-consuming, inefficient, and vulnerable to human judgment.
—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
21 June 2026
What appears elegant to a human reader often appears inefficient to an AI system.
—
Sreedhar Potarazu,
Baltimore Sun,
20 June 2026
These bloated and inefficient school districts are sacred cows whose tax bases, and our tax bills, are growing without restraint.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for inefficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inefficient
Adjective
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More than a decade ago, her association sought the same change at the federal level and was unsuccessful — opposed at the time by Wine Institute.
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The city had taken it over, but several attempts at renovation were unsuccessful, until Alan Leventhal, chief executive of Beacon Capital Partners, happened to see the building and envisioned it as a great hotel.
Adjective
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Conventional interventions have been largely ineffective, suggesting a rate increase may be the strongest tool left for policymakers to stabilize the won.
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While some viral health trends are harmless—or simply ineffective—others can put your health at serious risk.
Adjective
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But citing this can mean nearly anything seen as counterproductive.
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But adding those traits at the expense of defensive versatility would be counterproductive.
Cite this Entry
“Inefficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inefficient. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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