inefficient
adjective
in·ef·fi·cient
ˌi-nə-ˈfi-shənt 
: not efficient: such as
a
: wasteful of time or energy
inefficient operating procedures
b
: incapable, incompetent
an inefficient worker
c
: not producing the effect intended or desired
inefficient
noun
inefficiently
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of inefficient in a Sentence
The delivery system was very inefficient.
an inefficient use of fuel
Recent Examples on the Web
Kidwell, who bills himself a Christian conservative Republican, said the Trump administration is right to take aim in Washington at wasteful spending and inefficient bureaucracy.
—
Alan Wooten | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 8 Feb. 2025
The move caps nearly three weeks of efforts by the Trump administration to dismantle America’s foreign aid infrastructure, which the president and his advisers argue is bloated, inefficient, and out of step with American values.
—Jacob Turcotte, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Feb. 2025
Consequently, if running a data center isn’t a core part of your business—i.e., if your business is a bank or a hospital—then adapting to technological changes can be inefficient, cost a lot of capital and still result in difficulties with interconnection.
—Juan Font, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
The isolation is deepened, some federal employees said, by the fact that most of their fellow Americans see the federal government as bloated and inefficient.
—Erica L. Green, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for inefficient 
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.
Alan Wooten | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 8 Feb. 2025
The move caps nearly three weeks of efforts by the Trump administration to dismantle America’s foreign aid infrastructure, which the president and his advisers argue is bloated, inefficient, and out of step with American values.
—Jacob Turcotte, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Feb. 2025
Consequently, if running a data center isn’t a core part of your business—i.e., if your business is a bank or a hospital—then adapting to technological changes can be inefficient, cost a lot of capital and still result in difficulties with interconnection.
—Juan Font, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
The isolation is deepened, some federal employees said, by the fact that most of their fellow Americans see the federal government as bloated and inefficient.
—Erica L. Green, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for inefficient
Dictionary Entries Near inefficient
Cite this Entry
“Inefficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inefficient. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inefficient
adjective
in·ef·fi·cient
ˌin-ə-ˈfish-ənt
1
: not producing the effect expected or desired
inefficient regulations
2
: wasteful of time or energy
inefficient procedures
especially
: accomplishing little relative to the time spent or effort expended
an inefficient worker
inefficiently
adverb
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share