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.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 A lot of where political satire goes under Trump is defined by the efficiency or inefficiency of his administration. Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Jan. 2025 In 1982, President Ronald Reagan brought together 161 corporate executives overseen by industrialist J. Peter Grace to make recommendations to eliminate government waste and inefficiency, based on their experiences leading successful corporations. Jennifer Selin, The Conversation, 24 Jan. 2025 But those inefficiencies have led to meager showings from wideouts A.J. Brown (three receptions, 24 yards) and DeVonta Smith (eight receptions, 76 yards). Jeff Howe, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025 Without effective APIs, the shift to composable architecture can lead to inefficiencies, security vulnerabilities and operational disruptions. Sabeer Nelliparamban, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for inefficiency 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inefficiency
Noun
  • With evolving attitudes toward drug policy, particularly the legalization and normalization of cannabis, businesses must acknowledge that past drug convictions do not equate to an inability to succeed professionally.
    Summer Westerbur, Rolling Stone, 27 Jan. 2025
  • The inability of Meta's META.O AI chatbot to identify the current president of the United States was elevated to urgent status by the Facebook owner this week, requiring a fast fix, a person familiar with the issue said.
    Katie Paul, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Per Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, an internal affairs investigation resulted in a sustained charge of incompetence against Officer Cardwell.
    Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 22 Jan. 2025
  • The Internal Affairs investigation resulted in a sustained charge of incompetence against Officer Cardwell and JSO has begun termination proceedings for Officer Cardwell.
    Kerry Breen, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • When pressed on such timelines during a Senate hearing in December 2024, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf reiterated the issue isn’t a matter of corruption or incompetency, but federal support.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 Jan. 2025
  • It's been a revolving door of incompetency under center for the Browns this year.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near inefficiency

Cite this Entry

“Inefficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inefficiency. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

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