inefficient

adjective

in·​ef·​fi·​cient ˌi-nə-ˈfi-shənt How to pronounce inefficient (audio)
Synonyms of inefficientnext
: 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
used inefficient measures
inefficient noun
inefficiently adverb

Synonyms of inefficient

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Examples of inefficient in a Sentence

The delivery system was very inefficient. an inefficient use of fuel
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Duplicated efforts, lack of visibility and insights and reporting errors are all symptoms of inefficient operations. — John Case, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Earlier research had shown that unclonable encryption was possible, but existing approaches were either inefficient or needed certain assumptions to be secure. — Peter Hall, Scientific American, 31 July 2026 Thanks to a shortage of memory chips produced by the profoundly resource-hungry and inefficient AI industry, consumer electronics are becoming much more expensive across the board. — Damon Beres, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026 Nearly all of Las Vegas' indoor water use is recycled, meaning the issues of conservation now lie with outdoor watering and inefficient cooling systems. — Carly Sauvageau, USA Today, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for inefficient

Word History

First Known Use

1750, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inefficient was in 1750

Rhymes for inefficient

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Browse Nearby Words

inefficiency
inefficient
in effigy
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Cite this Entry

“Inefficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inefficient. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

inefficient

adjective
in·​ef·​fi·​cient ˌin-ə-ˈfish-ənt How to pronounce inefficient (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on inefficient

Nglish: Translation of inefficient for Spanish Speakers

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