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 risk is not only inefficiency.
—
Akhil Sivanandan, Sourcing Journal, 18 Mar. 2026
Yet, with margins this thin, even modest inefficiencies become existential, requiring leadership to examine program performance with a level of detail that most organizations never need to reach.
—Courtney McFarland, STAT, 17 Mar. 2026
The wealth gap has never been greater, to the extent Liverpool can bookmark a talent such as Jeremy Jacquet for next season in a £60m deal, but the past week has been as much about inefficiencies in squad building as legginess.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
Small inefficiencies can quickly reduce system output power.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inefficiency
Akhil Sivanandan, Sourcing Journal, 18 Mar. 2026
Yet, with margins this thin, even modest inefficiencies become existential, requiring leadership to examine program performance with a level of detail that most organizations never need to reach.
—Courtney McFarland, STAT, 17 Mar. 2026
The wealth gap has never been greater, to the extent Liverpool can bookmark a talent such as Jeremy Jacquet for next season in a £60m deal, but the past week has been as much about inefficiencies in squad building as legginess.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
Small inefficiencies can quickly reduce system output power.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inefficiency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inefficiency
Noun
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Its launch of ChatGPT-5 in August was a disaster, as the new model had a flatter, more terse personality, as well as an alarming inability to answer basic questions.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
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Carter’s inability to stay healthy is one of the major reasons why this outfield became so problematic in each of the past two years.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Investigators found widespread fraud and incompetence in the tax prep industry.—
Michelle Singletary,
Washington Post,
21 Mar. 2026
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The state Board of Dentistry suspended Kamel, who was accused of incompetence after putting two patients through elaborate implant surgeries that failed, leading to painful infections.—
Kristi Miller,
Twin Cities,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The reproduction of systemic racism occurs not simply through white denial but also through the promotion of cultural incompetency.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Mar. 2026
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The District Attorney’s Office said a finding of incompetency does not dismiss the case or result in a defendant’s release, and that proceedings will resume if Mock is later deemed competent.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
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If injuries or ineffectiveness hit the rotation, the Angels will have little hope of covering that deficiency with their offense or bullpen.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
23 Mar. 2026
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Stroud’s struggles also contributed to Kirk’s ineffectiveness.—
Matt Barrows,
New York Times,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inefficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inefficiency. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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