...the inefficiency of the distribution system. [+ of]
Synonyms: incompetence, slackness, sloppiness, disorganization More Synonyms of inefficient
inefficientlyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
Energy prices have been kept low, so energy is used inefficiently.
More Synonyms of inefficient
inefficient in British English
(ˌɪnɪˈfɪʃənt)
adjective
1.
unable to perform a task or function to the best advantage; wasteful or incompetent
2.
unable to produce the desired result
Derived forms
inefficiency (ˌinefˈficiency)
noun
inefficiently (ˌinefˈficiently)
adverb
inefficient in American English
(ˌɪnɛˈfɪʃənt; ˌɪnɪˈfɪʃənt)
adjective
not efficient
; specif.,
a.
not producing the desired effect with a minimum use of energy, time, etc.; ineffective
b.
lacking the necessary ability; unskilled; incapable
Derived forms
inefficiency (ˌinefˈficiency)
noun
inefficiently (ˌinefˈficiently)
adverb
Examples of 'inefficient' in a sentence
inefficient
It was an inefficient system.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Some are shabby and unloved and represent an inefficient use of space and costs.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Four million people with inefficient heating systems will qualify for cash rewards to be unveiled this week.
The Sun (2009)
It suggests an inefficient way of identifying the most skilful players at a young age.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
This weakness often contributes to widespread corruption and inefficient public services.
Christianity Today (2000)
It should not be fooling around with inefficient and expensive wind and solar energy.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Land use is inefficient and population distribution poor.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In fact our own homegrown bureaucracy and often inefficient public services are more of an impediment.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
An expensive and inefficient police force needs radical reform.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The scathing report urges drastic action after finding that the voting system remains dangerously inefficient and open to fraud.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In the first couple of years of tax credits the system was so inefficient that many thousands were overpaid.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
This government has done little to reform an inefficient public sector and in many cases has made it worse.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He shows how keeping some apparently inefficient slack in systems can make the world a more robust and sustainable place.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
A meat diet is a very inefficient way of feeding the world.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
They are inefficient and wasteful.
The Sun (2016)
The fifth challenge is to force unity of effort and integrity on a divided, grossly inefficient and corrupt international aid effort.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The company ended last year with a small amount of cash in the bank, which is an inefficient use of capital.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Just so much criticism had to be encouraged to galvanise corrupt or inefficient party bureaucrats and the patronage system which placed a premium on who you knew.
Grenville, J. A. S. The Collins History of the World in the 20th Century (1994)
He said: 'The system is wasteful and inefficient.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In other languages
inefficient
British English: inefficient /ˌɪnɪˈfɪʃənt/ ADJECTIVE
A person, organization, system, or machine that is inefficient does not work in the most economical way.
...the closure of inefficient factories.
American English: inefficient
Arabic: غَيْرُ فَعَّالٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: ineficiente
Chinese: 效率低的
Croatian: neučinkovit
Czech: nevýkonný
Danish: ueffektiv
Dutch: inefficiënt
European Spanish: ineficiente
Finnish: tehoton
French: inefficace
German: ineffizient
Greek: ανεπαρκής
Italian: inefficiente
Japanese: 効率の悪い
Korean: 비능률적인
Norwegian: ineffektiv
Polish: nieskuteczny
European Portuguese: ineficiente
Romanian: ineficient
Russian: неэффективный
Latin American Spanish: ineficiente
Swedish: ineffektiv
Thai: ไร้ประสิทธิภาพ
Turkish: yetersiz
Ukrainian: неефективний
Vietnamese: không có hiệu quả
Chinese translation of 'inefficient'
inefficient
(ɪnɪˈfɪʃənt)
adj
[person, machine, system]效率低的 (xiàolǜ dī de)
1 (adjective)
Definition
not performing a task or function to the best advantage
the inefficient use of funds
Synonyms
wasteful
the wasteful consumption of fuel
uneconomical
profligate
the most profligate consumer of energy in the world
ruinous
the ruinous costs of the legal system
improvident
unthrifty
inefficacious
2 (adjective)
Some people are very inefficient workers.
Synonyms
incompetent
Lazy and incompetent workers were allowed to coast along.
incapable
He lost his job allegedly for being incapable.
inept
He was inept and lacked the intelligence to govern.
weak
His eyesight had always been weak.
bungling
feeble
He said the Government had been feeble.
sloppy
ineffectual
The ill-advised and ineffectual policies
disorganized
He is completely disorganized and is always running late.
slipshod
inexpert
cowboy (informal)
Opposites
able
,
skilled
,
expert
,
effective
,
capable
,
organized
,
efficient
,
competent
,
tasty (British, informal)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of disorganized
He is completely disorganized and is always running late.