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
Obamacare is rife with inefficiencies and fraud, and the additional subsidies add hundreds of billions in red ink to a federal government already bleeding massive deficits.
—
Arkansas Online, 20 Jan. 2026
This dialogue is prompting Americans to scrutinize the inefficiencies of the current system.
—Sheila Weinberg, Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026
Subsequent audits have found that the program, which cost more than eight hundred billion dollars, was riddled with inefficiency and fraud.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
Arnold set the tone for the second quarter with a steal-and-score in the opening seconds, and while UConn’s offense still hadn’t found its rhythm, the defensive effort neutralized any inefficiencies.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inefficiency
Arkansas Online, 20 Jan. 2026
This dialogue is prompting Americans to scrutinize the inefficiencies of the current system.
—Sheila Weinberg, Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026
Subsequent audits have found that the program, which cost more than eight hundred billion dollars, was riddled with inefficiency and fraud.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
Arnold set the tone for the second quarter with a steal-and-score in the opening seconds, and while UConn’s offense still hadn’t found its rhythm, the defensive effort neutralized any inefficiencies.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inefficiency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inefficiency
Noun
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According to Damien Routely, these include messy ownership of decisions and no reliable view of cash or delivery cadence, which indicate a weak and unclear leadership structure; the inability to properly articulate what the business actually is, and a refusal to listen and assimilate feedback.—
Alison Coleman,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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Those Olympics were mentally draining enough for athletes, given their limited mobility in a COVID bubble, fears of testing positive and missing competitions, and inability to soak up the experience with fans and friends.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Especially Gina, who honestly was just minding her business, hanging out with her boyfriend’s daughter, and winds up getting accused of incompetence by her own boyfriend.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
23 Jan. 2026
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Trump’s malice and incompetence alienates voters, who then publicly voice their discontent, encouraging other political actors and institutions to see him not as a crusading avatar of national destiny but as a weakened figure.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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
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Maybe that data suggests incompetency in the sporting director role.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Goff pointed to ineffectiveness on first down in the second half, forcing the offensive line into situations where Los Angeles could turn to its powerful pass rush.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 Dec. 2025
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Mike Vrabel has blamed his squad’s ground ineffectiveness on his RB stable being too ball-security focused.—
Brad Evans,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inefficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inefficiency. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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