as in unsuccessful
not producing the desired result
inefficient measures to solve the problem of teenage smoking
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Recent Examples of inefficient
Piper then recalls how markets were remarkably inefficient and unhelpful during capitalism’s greatest test since the Great Depression.
—
Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025
Transnet has in recent years grappled with a shortage of freight trains and inefficient ports that have cut income from exports, particularly mining.
—Preeti Jha, semafor.com, 25 Aug. 2025
That's not because EVs with big batteries are inefficient—far from it—but because making a battery for an EV is a very energy-intensive process.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2025
But the light production itself is inefficient.
—IEEE Spectrum, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inefficient
Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025
Transnet has in recent years grappled with a shortage of freight trains and inefficient ports that have cut income from exports, particularly mining.
—Preeti Jha, semafor.com, 25 Aug. 2025
That's not because EVs with big batteries are inefficient—far from it—but because making a battery for an EV is a very energy-intensive process.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2025
But the light production itself is inefficient.
—IEEE Spectrum, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inefficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inefficient
Adjective
-
The new complaint was filed 20 years after Burrowes first claimed in an unsuccessful civil case that Combs may have put out a hit on Shakur and Knight.—
Gina Barton,
USA Today,
7 Sep. 2025
-
All have been unsuccessful due to his status as a suspect in multiple violent crimes.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
After watching their beloved pet struggle, the founder set out to create a solution rooted in clinical research instead of outdated and ineffective formulas.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
-
In fact, the company deemed its IT-dependent controls relevant to the preparation of the consolidated financial statements were ineffective in 2022 and 2023.—
David Trainer,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Despite the league's efforts to promote unity, NFL legend Brett Favre feels the messages are counterproductive.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
5 Sep. 2025
-
That’s really so counterproductive.—
Emma Madden,
Pitchfork,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inefficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inefficient. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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