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
One method, known as pruning, entails removing unnecessary or inefficient parts of a neural network — the sprawling web of connected data points that underlies a large model.
—
Stephen Ornes, Quanta Magazine, 10 Mar. 2025
Overall, these tackle issues of staffing, outdated systems, and inefficient processes that can drain profits and limit the growth of smaller providers that lack the resources of large corporations.
—Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2025
Critics charge that the system is inefficient, unduly costly, and that universities can fund these efforts through other means.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
As teams scale, decision-making can become inefficient and accountability can blur.
—Patrick Donegan, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inefficient
Stephen Ornes, Quanta Magazine, 10 Mar. 2025
Overall, these tackle issues of staffing, outdated systems, and inefficient processes that can drain profits and limit the growth of smaller providers that lack the resources of large corporations.
—Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2025
Critics charge that the system is inefficient, unduly costly, and that universities can fund these efforts through other means.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
As teams scale, decision-making can become inefficient and accountability can blur.
—Patrick Donegan, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inefficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inefficient
Adjective
-
Nash’s cousin Allene Love told the Star-Telegram that family members’ efforts to obtain answers from police have been unsuccessful.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Mar. 2025
-
At least 24,000 probationary employees have been terminated since President Trump took office, the lawsuit alleges, though efforts by the judge to get an estimate from a government attorney at a hearing Wednesday were unsuccessful.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Employees describe her as a poor leader and ineffective communicator who has zealously enacted Trump’s agenda.—
Eric Geller,
WIRED,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Instead, tariff revenues become entangled in bureaucratic structures, subject to administrative inefficiencies, delays, and ineffective allocation.—
Ali Hoss,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Below, members of Forbes Technology Council share cybersecurity tools and initiatives that may not be as effective as they’re commonly believed to be—and in some cases, could even be counterproductive.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
-
Almost everywhere Trump tried economic coercion against adversaries, the results were lackluster or counterproductive.—
Nicholas Mulder,
Foreign Affairs,
6 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inefficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inefficient. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share