as in inability
the lack of ability to do something or produce something without wasting materials, time, or energy
The candidate blamed her opponent for the local government's inefficiency.
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Recent Examples of inefficiency
The reforms target long-standing inefficiencies that have plagued the corporate tax examination process, with some procedures taking years to complete under current protocols.
—
Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 July 2025
Frustrated with inherent inefficiencies in the architecture of ultralow-power microprocessors, the founders of startup Efficient Computer decided to reinvent the general-purpose processor from the ground up for energy efficiency.
—IEEE Spectrum, 24 July 2025
The workaround includes using Southeast Asian countries and secondary suppliers to funnel in high-end hardware, showing how U.S. controls may be generating inefficiency and profits for middlemen, rather than stopping China’s AI ambitions.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 24 July 2025
Congress should not go out of its way to create greater inefficiency in a private sector that has made the U.S. economy the envy of the world.
—John L. Mica, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for inefficiency
Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 July 2025
Frustrated with inherent inefficiencies in the architecture of ultralow-power microprocessors, the founders of startup Efficient Computer decided to reinvent the general-purpose processor from the ground up for energy efficiency.
—IEEE Spectrum, 24 July 2025
The workaround includes using Southeast Asian countries and secondary suppliers to funnel in high-end hardware, showing how U.S. controls may be generating inefficiency and profits for middlemen, rather than stopping China’s AI ambitions.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 24 July 2025
Congress should not go out of its way to create greater inefficiency in a private sector that has made the U.S. economy the envy of the world.
—John L. Mica, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for inefficiency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inefficiency
Noun
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This challenge is exemplified in Huawei’s inability to move beyond the 7-nanometer technology, according to Bloomberg.—
Owen Tedford,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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In April, Bill Owens, the executive producer of 60 Minutes, resigned, citing his inability to make decisions free from corporate control.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The board meeting, including the line of people so eager to praise Battle and silence her critics, was all so hard to watch, and not just because of the egregious display of incompetence by whomever concocted such a terrible plan.—
Andrea Williams,
Nashville Tennessean,
15 Aug. 2025
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Secondly, and speaking of incompetence, Antoni is wholly unqualified.—
S.E. Cupp,
New York Daily News,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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If Black and Middlebrooks plan to make that challenge, their lawyers must file petitions alleging incompetency between May 27-29 for Black and between July 7-9 for Middlebrooks.—
Evan Mealins,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Mar. 2025
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Outside of your job, take time to strengthen your incompetency by undergoing extra training and courses, and attending events if necessary.—
Rachel Wells,
Forbes.com,
5 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inefficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inefficiency. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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