ineffective
adjective
in·ef·fec·tive
ˌi-nə-ˈfek-tiv 
1
: not producing an intended effect : ineffectual
ineffective lighting
an ineffective treatment
2
: not capable of performing efficiently or as expected : incapable
an ineffective executive
ineffectively
adverb
ineffectiveness
noun
Examples of ineffective in a Sentence
The treatment was ineffective against the disease.
an ineffective effort to reduce unemployment that only spurred inflation
Recent Examples on the Web
Arrests have proven to be ineffective at stopping drug use, instead heightening risk of overdose and death.
—
Grey Gardner, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
What began as a minor irritation turned into a yearlong medical odyssey marked by the lack of a diagnosis, ineffective treatments, and compounding side effects—all while costs escalated.
—Harvard Business Review, 11 Mar. 2026
Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean ineffective.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2026
Monetary policy has proven to be an ineffective weapon against inequality.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
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Grey Gardner, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
What began as a minor irritation turned into a yearlong medical odyssey marked by the lack of a diagnosis, ineffective treatments, and compounding side effects—all while costs escalated.
—Harvard Business Review, 11 Mar. 2026
Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean ineffective.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2026
Monetary policy has proven to be an ineffective weapon against inequality.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
Cite this Entry
“Ineffective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ineffective. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ineffective
adjective
in·ef·fec·tive
ˌin-ə-ˈfek-tiv
1
: not producing the desired effect
an ineffective law
2
: not performing as well as expected or needed
an ineffective leader
ineffectively
adverb
ineffectiveness
noun
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