as in unsuccessful
not producing the desired result
inefficient measures to solve the problem of teenage smoking
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 inefficient
Current software, dating back to the 1990s and early 2000s, is reliable but inefficient and cannot be updated to support new technologies.
—
Kevin Sabet, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
For years, poor governance has doomed the Chicago region to an inefficient, uncoordinated transit system that fails to adequately serve its riders.
—Joe Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025
Businesses often overlook the financial consequences of poor hiring decisions or inefficient technology, yet these areas directly affect the bottom line.
—Raja Walia, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
The space weather exercise overseen by NOAA found that inefficient communication between space weather experts and other government agencies and stakeholders likely to deal with the fallout of these incidents could lead to incorrect conclusions.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for inefficient
Kevin Sabet, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
For years, poor governance has doomed the Chicago region to an inefficient, uncoordinated transit system that fails to adequately serve its riders.
—Joe Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025
Businesses often overlook the financial consequences of poor hiring decisions or inefficient technology, yet these areas directly affect the bottom line.
—Raja Walia, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
The space weather exercise overseen by NOAA found that inefficient communication between space weather experts and other government agencies and stakeholders likely to deal with the fallout of these incidents could lead to incorrect conclusions.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for inefficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inefficient
Adjective
-
Officials said he was found semiconscious on the River Trail on June 30 but resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
24 May 2025
-
Efforts to refloat the ship during high tide on Thursday were unsuccessful.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
At least for now, the biggest differentiator between effective and ineffective use of AI for marketing strategy or content production is the human in the driver’s seat.—
Andrew Allen,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
-
Appealing a death sentence Ritchie’s attorneys have fought the death sentence, arguing his legal counsel at trial was ineffective because his lawyers failed to fully investigate and present evidence on his fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and childhood lead exposure.—
Sophia Tareen,
Chicago Tribune,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
The underlying premise of the Norwegian method is that hero workouts that leave you crumpled by the side of the track are counterproductive.—
Alex Hutchinson,
Outside Online,
19 May 2025
-
But regulating for the sake of regulating is counterproductive, and the existing framework already goes way beyond policing fraud and consumer harms.—
Norbert Michel,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inefficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inefficient. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share