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
Mahan sees opportunities for automation anywhere there is inefficiency, such as the building permit process.
—
Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 5 Sep. 2025
In China, the government plays a central role as a source, allocator, and user of capital, directly resourcing strategic priorities but creating significant waste and inefficiency in the process.
—Sadek Wahba, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2025
The feds have contributed $7 billion to this monument to inefficiency and green preening.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025
Multiple reports from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) have called out the inefficiencies involved in American shipbuilding, first saying in February that U.S. Navy shipbuilding is consistently over budget and behind schedule.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inefficiency
Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 5 Sep. 2025
In China, the government plays a central role as a source, allocator, and user of capital, directly resourcing strategic priorities but creating significant waste and inefficiency in the process.
—Sadek Wahba, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2025
The feds have contributed $7 billion to this monument to inefficiency and green preening.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025
Multiple reports from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) have called out the inefficiencies involved in American shipbuilding, first saying in February that U.S. Navy shipbuilding is consistently over budget and behind schedule.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inefficiency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inefficiency
Noun
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Overuse of the members of Generation K — Jason Isringhausen, Bill Pulsipher and Paul Wilson — during their rookie seasons is often blamed for the trio’s inability to stay healthy and effective.—
Jerry Beach,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Roberts pointed to the Dodgers’ inability to support Yamamoto with more than one run against 42-year-old Justin Verlander – on a solo home run by Michael Conforto in the seventh inning – as part of the problem.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Many of the deaths were preventable and due to a combination of staff incompetence and cruel indifference.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Sep. 2025
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This is incompetence and there should be consequences for judges who make our society less safe.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The National Geographic series dives into footage and narratives from officials leading the disaster response at the time, revealing incompetencies and false information from the media that cost locals their lives.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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Portalatin’s petition seeks to remove Wilder and Saenz using a statute in the Texas Local Government Code that allows for citizens to seek public officials’ removal due to incompetency, official misconduct or drunkenness both on and off duty.—
Cody Copeland,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
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He's played just 15 of 32 games and suffered multiple injuries and been benched for ineffectiveness multiple times.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inefficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inefficiency. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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