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
Heat defenders like Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Caleb Martin and Highsmith made things tough for Knicks All-Star guard Jalen Brunson, who finished with 20 inefficient points on 5-of-18 shooting from the field and 1-of-6 shooting from three-point range.
—
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
Traditional design methods often lead to inefficient layouts with poor airflow, resulting in overheating and wasted energy.
—Timothy Papandreou, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024
This ensures that the system is running steadily, rather than in short, inefficient spurts.
—Tik Root, WIRED, 30 Mar. 2024
Human rights groups have repeatedly criticized airdrops as an inefficient and degrading way of getting aid to Gazans, instead urging Israeli authorities to lift controls on land crossings into the enclave.
—Abdelqadder Sabbah, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024
Aging cinder block walls provide little buffer against the cold, and the heating is inefficient and expensive to run.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 27 Mar. 2024
As Gaza grows desperate, donors drop aid from the sky
Aid professionals say dropping aid from planes is an expensive, inefficient way to deliver aid to a population, and that the missions now being flown are insufficient to meet the needs of the more than 2 million people trapped inside Gaza.
—Claire Parker, Washington Post, 2 Mar. 2024
But in undertaking this resource-heavy endeavor, set to require 1,000 troops and two months, at a cost that remains to be tallied, alongside expensive and inefficient aid delivery by airdrops — the United States is not circumventing forbidding geography.
—Sammy Westfall, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024
The current museum, which opened in 1963 at 800 W. Wells St., is too large, inefficient and affected by years of deferred maintenance, according to museum officials.
—Tom Daykin, Journal Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2024
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
Traditional design methods often lead to inefficient layouts with poor airflow, resulting in overheating and wasted energy.
—Timothy Papandreou, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024
This ensures that the system is running steadily, rather than in short, inefficient spurts.
—Tik Root, WIRED, 30 Mar. 2024
Human rights groups have repeatedly criticized airdrops as an inefficient and degrading way of getting aid to Gazans, instead urging Israeli authorities to lift controls on land crossings into the enclave.
—Abdelqadder Sabbah, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024
Aging cinder block walls provide little buffer against the cold, and the heating is inefficient and expensive to run.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 27 Mar. 2024
As Gaza grows desperate, donors drop aid from the sky
Aid professionals say dropping aid from planes is an expensive, inefficient way to deliver aid to a population, and that the missions now being flown are insufficient to meet the needs of the more than 2 million people trapped inside Gaza.
—Claire Parker, Washington Post, 2 Mar. 2024
But in undertaking this resource-heavy endeavor, set to require 1,000 troops and two months, at a cost that remains to be tallied, alongside expensive and inefficient aid delivery by airdrops — the United States is not circumventing forbidding geography.
—Sammy Westfall, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024
The current museum, which opened in 1963 at 800 W. Wells St., is too large, inefficient and affected by years of deferred maintenance, according to museum officials.
—Tom Daykin, Journal Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inefficient.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near inefficient
Cite this Entry
“Inefficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inefficient. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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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