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 mayor’s team implemented a voluntary retirement program for eligible employees last year, as well as consolidated city departments and asked their heads to parse their budgets to find inefficiencies.
—
Abby Church, Houston Chronicle, 12 Feb. 2026
The pipeline fracture is capital inefficiency The narrative often focuses on the top, but the math shows the real loss happens at the entry level.
—Katica Roy, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
Sanders’ go-to exercise activates muscles in your core and hips to help prevent the above inefficiencies.
—Sarah Klein, Outside, 10 Feb. 2026
This disconnect between individual choice and individual benefit represents not merely an economic inefficiency but a philosophical failure to respect the rational agency of health care consumers.
—Jared Rhoads, STAT, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inefficiency
Abby Church, Houston Chronicle, 12 Feb. 2026
The pipeline fracture is capital inefficiency The narrative often focuses on the top, but the math shows the real loss happens at the entry level.
—Katica Roy, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
Sanders’ go-to exercise activates muscles in your core and hips to help prevent the above inefficiencies.
—Sarah Klein, Outside, 10 Feb. 2026
This disconnect between individual choice and individual benefit represents not merely an economic inefficiency but a philosophical failure to respect the rational agency of health care consumers.
—Jared Rhoads, STAT, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inefficiency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inefficiency
Noun
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Although the Bobcats scored more points in the paint, their inability to stop the Eagles' forward on the interior led to excessive fouling.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
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Tua’s inability to perform against the league’s top teams is a major drawback.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Early coverage of the war leaned on simplified frames, including Russian incompetence, imminent victory and decisive turning points.—
Charles Edward Gehrke,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
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This ethic has been especially true in the renowned Sports section, which was killed in a Zoom announcement notable for its belly-wriggling cowardice and self-owning incompetence.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 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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The Cubs know how important pitcher depth becomes in the postseason after injuries and ineffectiveness compromised their starter options in October.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
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The state’s policy ineffectiveness is just as troubling.—
Wayne Winegarden,
Oc Register,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inefficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inefficiency. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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