as in unsuccessful
not producing the desired result
inefficient measures to solve the problem of teenage smoking
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Recent Examples of inefficient
This is a desperate, inefficient way to make energy.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 21 Jan. 2026
What’s become inefficient, outdated, or overly burdensome?
—Usa Today, USA Today, 19 Jan. 2026
Though many high-profile cases went nowhere, the case of Hitler’s henchman Martin Bormann is exemplary in showing how inefficient Argentina was in its investigations.
—Solly Boussidan, FOXNews.com, 18 Jan. 2026
This was all both inefficient and insufficient at a time when scientists were looking into questions such as how the present-day universe was influenced by the Big Bang, which required extensive mapping, the university said.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inefficient
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 21 Jan. 2026
What’s become inefficient, outdated, or overly burdensome?
—Usa Today, USA Today, 19 Jan. 2026
Though many high-profile cases went nowhere, the case of Hitler’s henchman Martin Bormann is exemplary in showing how inefficient Argentina was in its investigations.
—Solly Boussidan, FOXNews.com, 18 Jan. 2026
This was all both inefficient and insufficient at a time when scientists were looking into questions such as how the present-day universe was influenced by the Big Bang, which required extensive mapping, the university said.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inefficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inefficient
Adjective
-
These therapies are not universally successful, of course, but can often save lives and defeat cancers where other methods are unsuccessful.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Symptoms include cravings, unsuccessful quit attempts, tolerance and withdrawal.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Without this step, emotional conversations become emotionally expensive and structurally ineffective.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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Since mothballs are proven to be ineffective (and harmful), here are some safer alternatives to consider.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Instead of forcing an interpretation upon her audience, de Araújo trusts us to make sense of her characters’ contradictory, if not downright counterproductive mindsets.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Pushing back against any suggestion of intentional wrongdoing, Joiner proffered that the drug would be competitively counterproductive.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inefficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inefficient. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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