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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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 All men recognize the right of revolution; that is, the right to refuse allegiance to, and to resist, the government, when its tyranny or its inefficiency are great and unendurable. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026 Skipping Annual Water Heater Maintenance Hargrave says skipping annual water heater maintenance before winter could lead to equipment problems and inefficiency. — Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2026 One rough estimate puts the annual cost of COBOL’s inefficiencies to the US GDP at around $105 billion. — Robert Hart, The Verge, 26 Oct. 2026 Another issue for the Chiefs was their third-down inefficiency. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inefficiency

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inefficiency

Noun

Inconsistent quarterback play, along with the inability to protect and generate push up front allowed the Bulldogs and Sooners to bottled up Baugh and the running game.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Nov. 2026
While filming, Knightley was just 17 and on set for only a week, which contributed to her inability to recall the script.

— Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of inability

Noun

His incompetence and determination to suck up to Trump helped launch the war against Iran in the first place.

— Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 11 Nov. 2026
Three decades of one-party rule left a record of incompetence and corruption that the African National Congress – the party of Nelson Mandela – reluctantly admits.

— Kurt Shillinger, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of incompetence

Noun

Court records show DeFoor has a history of criminal cases involving findings of mental incompetency.

— Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of incompetency

Noun

What readers are saying The comments express strong opposition to capital punishment, particularly highlighting the botched execution of Christa Pike as an example of its cruelty and ineffectiveness.

— Victoria Craw, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026
However, September continued to showcase the club’s ineffectiveness at the plate.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of ineffectiveness

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inefficacy

inefficiency

inefficient

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Style

“Inefficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inefficiency. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of inefficiency

noun

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