INEFFICIENCY Synonyms: 21 Similar and Opposite Words

inefficiency

noun

Definition of 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.

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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 Indeed, forcing a theoretical connection between credit buyers and sellers could induce inefficiencies in the name of sustainability score-maxxing. — Mike Feibus, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026 Becerra also said those cuts could also be addressed by cutting wasteful spending, overbilling and other inefficiencies in the healthcare system. — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Balancing Speed And Flexibility Across all industries, financial inefficiencies remain a huge challenge. — Alison Coleman, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 This type of structural reform would really address waste and inefficiency, and contribute to long-term positive tax change. — Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inefficiency

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inefficiency

Noun

Johnson’s mayoral tenure has been marked by an inability to work with Springfield, a skill deficiency displayed by his staunch allies at the teachers union and the aligned board members on the CBOE.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Indecisiveness and the inability to keep commitments are a widespread social problem, which has indeed led to the demise of private entertaining.

— Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of inability

Noun

The Reds demonstrate their incompetence once again by allowing Reacher and Green to disarm them and start swinging.

— Chris Klimek, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
Timidity dissolves into might, selfishness gives place to broad-reaching love, incompetence is replaced with obedience to God’s perfect direction.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of incompetence

Noun

Those forms are not pertinent to the finding of incompetency and are therefore subject to the open records law, Ziegler and Bradley wrote.

— Scott Bauer, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Federal agents have descended upon the home of Cindy Rodriguez Singh, the North Texas mom who was recently sent to a state hospital after an incompetency ruling in the murder of her young son.

— Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 12 May 2026

Definition of incompetency

Noun

The biggest discrepancy for Cruz this season compared to his breakout 2025 campaign is the ineffectiveness of his four-seamer.

— Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
The states argue that Meta withheld relevant information from users and parents, who might have benefited from knowing the ineffectiveness of the feature and others like it, constituting a violation of consumer protection laws.

— John Ruwitch, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of ineffectiveness

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inefficacy

inefficiency

inefficient

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Style

“Inefficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inefficiency. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of inefficiency

noun

Example Sentences

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