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Showing results for inefficient. Search instead for in-efficient.
Definitions

inefficient

[in-i-fish-uhnt] / ˌɪn ɪˈfɪʃ ənt /
ADJECTIVE
not working well; wasteful
Synonyms
STRONGEST
disorganized faulty feeble incompetent ineffective ineffectual inept sloppy weak
WEAK
can't hack it careless extravagant half-baked improficient improvident incapable inefficacious inexpert not cut out for prodigal shooting blanks slack slipshod slovenly unfit unprepared unqualified unskilled unskillful untrained
Antonyms
STRONGEST
able capable competent dexterous effective fit neat skillful sound strong tidy
WEAK
efficient expert useful

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for inefficient?
Inefficient is a way of saying that something (or someone) works in a way that wastes effort or energy—in other words, that it’s not efficient. This isn’t always easy to boil down to one word. A process that’s considered inefficient could be described as wasteful, meaning that it could get the same (or an even better) result with less effort or resources. Processes that are efficient are sometimes described as economical—meaning they maximize results with minimum resources or effort. In this way, something that’s inefficient could be described as uneconomical. You could indicate that a process is inefficient by saying that it involves too many steps. You could imply that a machine is inefficient by saying that it doesn’t run as smoothly as it should. Old appliances are called inefficient when they use way more energy to perform the same functions as more efficient ones. You could imply that a person is inefficient in the way they’re completing a task or doing an activity by saying that they’re doing unnecessary work or exerting more effort than they need to. Sometimes, instead of saying that something is inefficient, you could say that it suffers from inefficiency.
What is an example of something that’s inefficient?
All kinds of things can be described as inefficient, including:
  • Machines, such as a gas-guzzling car or an old washing machine that uses up a lot of energy. Rube Goldberg machines are intentionally inefficient and overly complicated.
  • People, such as a worker who completes tasks in roundabout ways or a runner who exerts unnecessary energy during each stride.
  • Processes, such as a project that uses more of the budget than it needs to or involves more employees than is necessary.
  • Institutions and organizations. People often accuse the government of being inefficient. An inefficient business is one that uses more resources than are necessary to operate.
How do you use inefficient in a sentence?
Inefficient is commonly used. It can describe people, machines, systems, and institutions, among other things. Here are some examples of inefficient in a sentence: 
  • Without my monitor and mouse, I can still get work done, but I’m really inefficient—it takes me an hour to do what usually takes 10 minutes!
  • Some people say that the government is too inefficient and should be run like a business. 
  • My car is so inefficient—it only gets 8 miles to the gallon.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"This is a new way to make a fundamental carbon-carbon bond and that's why the potential impact is so great. It also means chemists can avoid an undesirable and inefficient drug modification process."

From Science Daily • Mar. 14, 2026

It was his most inefficient shooting performance with more than 11 shots of his career.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

What struck me most was the assumption beneath it all: that stopping to eat is not indulgent or inefficient, but necessary.

From Salon • Feb. 19, 2026

Ordinary Saudis, royals and officials close to Crown Prince Mohammed told me during a two-week visit to Riyadh that he understands he moved too fast and created inefficient spending.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026

But they are essential—without them, there would be inefficient farming, insufficient medical treatments, and no technological advance.

From "Insurgent" by Veronica Roth

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.