inefficiency

noun

Definition of inefficiencynext
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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inefficiency Becerra also said those cuts could also be addressed by cutting wasteful spending, overbilling and other inefficiencies in the healthcare system. — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Balancing Speed And Flexibility Across all industries, financial inefficiencies remain a huge challenge. — Alison Coleman, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Feeling warmth or air flow around the edges of your windows and doors can point to inefficiencies and air leaks. — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026 This type of structural reform would really address waste and inefficiency, and contribute to long-term positive tax change. — Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inefficiency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inefficiency
  1. inability
  2. incompetence
  3. incompetency
  4. ineffectiveness
Noun
  • Besides faulty lactose digestion, nonwhite bodies were accused of other failures, too, such as aldehyde dehydrogenase deficiency, an inability to digest alcohol quickly.
    — Hilary Smith, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Officials said the steep terrain and the inability for the climbers to safely dismount prompted a helicopter rescue technician to be lowered to assist the first victim.
    — Tim Fang, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of inability
Noun
  • Every dollar lost to fraud or administrative incompetence is a dollar unavailable for legitimate patients, families and vulnerable Americans.
    — Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 19 Aug. 2026
  • No matter what people think about the party out of power, the level of waste, fraud, corruption and incompetence that permeates our state government should make voters consider something new in November.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of incompetence
Noun
  • Those forms are not pertinent to the finding of incompetency and are therefore subject to the open records law, Ziegler and Bradley wrote.
    — Scott Bauer, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Federal agents have descended upon the home of Cindy Rodriguez Singh, the North Texas mom who was recently sent to a state hospital after an incompetency ruling in the murder of her young son.
    — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 12 May 2026
Definition of incompetency
Noun
  • The states argue that Meta withheld relevant information from users and parents, who might have benefited from knowing the ineffectiveness of the feature and others like it, constituting a violation of consumer protection laws.
    — John Ruwitch, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Cabrera’s return was short-lived, as the right-hander is once again dealing with a blister issue on top of more ineffectiveness.
    — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of ineffectiveness

Browse Nearby Words

inefficacy
inefficiency
inefficient
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Cite this Entry

“Inefficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inefficiency. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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