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
The Bottlenecks Of Traditional Remediation In non-DevOps environments, fixing even a single vulnerability can be an inefficient, multi-team process.
—
Edouard Viot, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Meanwhile, Rozier had another inefficient night, shooting 2 for 9 with five points in 25 minutes off the bench.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2025
This increase in cost ratio is due to lower sales volumes and inefficient labor costs.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2025
However, technical reports suggest that assessments of these and some other critical minerals are based on outdated geologic data, that a significant number of mines are inactive due to the war, and that many employ older, inefficient technology.
—Scott L. Montgomery, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inefficient
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Edouard Viot, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Meanwhile, Rozier had another inefficient night, shooting 2 for 9 with five points in 25 minutes off the bench.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2025
This increase in cost ratio is due to lower sales volumes and inefficient labor costs.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2025
However, technical reports suggest that assessments of these and some other critical minerals are based on outdated geologic data, that a significant number of mines are inactive due to the war, and that many employ older, inefficient technology.
—Scott L. Montgomery, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 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 21 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
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