INEFFICIENCY Synonyms: 21 Similar and Opposite Words

inefficiency

noun

Definition of inefficiency

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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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 An enterprising businessman could see this kind of inefficiency and start an assassin training school in Westeros, kind of like whatever is going on with the ballerinas in the John Wick universe. — Brian Grubb, Vulture, 27 July 2026 Over time, dust can block the vent’s airflow, leading to inefficiency and motor failure. — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 27 July 2026 The inefficiencies of early office work drove developments in information technology and modern management practices. — Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026 Long consultations can signal attentive care in one setting and inefficiency in another. — Deidre Popovich, The Conversation, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for inefficiency

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inefficiency

Noun

One root of these problems, Fersko-Weiss believed, was an inability to communicate frankly about what death and dying entailed.

— Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
Industry leaders say its inability to cite casinos for violating federal law or force the emergency closure of unsafe facilities is particularly troubling.

— Savannah Peters, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of inability

Noun

Leaders often face dangerous blind spots, not from incompetence, but from strengths like confidence and decisiveness becoming liabilities.

— Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Trump’s incompetence throughout this vendetta against Comey is perhaps its most welcome aspect.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 30 July 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

But Messi’s lack of influence owed less to his own ineffectiveness than to Spain’s dominance, which starved him of the ball, leaving him to feed off scraps.

— Jack Lang, New York Times, 19 July 2026
The commission has been plagued by partisan infighting and ineffectiveness, as well as chronic vacancies and a lack of funding.

— Jen Fifield, ProPublica, 10 July 2026

Definition of ineffectiveness

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inefficacy

inefficiency

inefficient

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“Inefficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inefficiency. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of inefficiency

noun

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