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 Then there is the inevitable bureaucratic inefficiency. Adam Summers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025 In today’s volatile digital economy, operational inefficiencies are eating into revenue streams. Grace Butler, USA Today, 7 June 2025 The Trump administration previously requested that the Supreme Court intervene, arguing that the DOGE team needed access to these systems in order to root out waste and inefficiency within the federal government. Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025 Not a whisper about institutional waste and inefficiency. Andy Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for inefficiency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inefficiency
Noun
  • Predicate orders are based on the abandonment, abuse or neglect of that child by one or both parents, and the inability to reunify with one or both parents, based on those findings.
    Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 18 June 2025
  • Fever head coach Stephanie White was upset with how the referees officiated the game and about the inability to take control.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • Not surprisingly, its 2025 proxy statement reveals the toxic governance triumvirate – incentives, incompetence and indifference – that lures troublesome attention from both hackers and activists.
    Noah Barsky, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
  • The defense’s case largely rests on accusations that the investigation into O’Keefe’s death was mired by deceit, incompetence and bias.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 10 June 2025
Noun
  • Outside of your job, take time to strengthen your incompetency by undergoing extra training and courses, and attending events if necessary.
    Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
  • It's been a revolving door of incompetency under center for the Browns this year.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Inefficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inefficiency. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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