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
Examples of inefficient in a Sentence
The delivery system was very inefficient.
an inefficient use of fuel
Recent Examples on the Web
As teams scale, decision-making can become inefficient and accountability can blur.
—
Patrick Donegan, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Two critical areas where Kansas struggles are 1) free-throw rate (its 23.9 FTR ranks No. 357 in the nation) and 2) low-volume and inefficient 3-point shooting.
—Tyler Everett, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
But the Bluejays also had an inefficient start going 3-for-12 in the first quarter, and the Huskies answered the early run with a 6-0 streak of their own.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2025
Similarly, 300-unit market-rate buildings have lower costs per unit than 40-unit buildings that absorb the cost of federal funds and the inefficient system that is LIHTC.
—Marisa Novara, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 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.
Patrick Donegan, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Two critical areas where Kansas struggles are 1) free-throw rate (its 23.9 FTR ranks No. 357 in the nation) and 2) low-volume and inefficient 3-point shooting.
—Tyler Everett, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
But the Bluejays also had an inefficient start going 3-for-12 in the first quarter, and the Huskies answered the early run with a 6-0 streak of their own.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2025
Similarly, 300-unit market-rate buildings have lower costs per unit than 40-unit buildings that absorb the cost of federal funds and the inefficient system that is LIHTC.
—Marisa Novara, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inefficient
Cite this Entry
“Inefficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inefficient. Accessed 20 Mar. 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