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
There’s irony here because the solution, for the most part, is not quantum-based, but rather preparation for a time when future quantum computers may make current encryption such as RSA and ECC ineffective.
—
Dr. Jonathan Reichental, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
These proposals recognize that leaving decisions about adapting houses located in vulnerable areas up to individual homeowners is ineffective.
—The Conversation, Fortune, 12 June 2026
Knicks head coach Mike Brown relied on Alvarado with Mikal Bridges and Miles McBride mostly ineffective in Game 4.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 11 June 2026
These proposals recognize that leaving decisions about adapting houses located in vulnerable areas up to individual homeowners is ineffective.
—Zac Taylor, The Conversation, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
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Dr. Jonathan Reichental, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
These proposals recognize that leaving decisions about adapting houses located in vulnerable areas up to individual homeowners is ineffective.
—The Conversation, Fortune, 12 June 2026
Knicks head coach Mike Brown relied on Alvarado with Mikal Bridges and Miles McBride mostly ineffective in Game 4.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 11 June 2026
These proposals recognize that leaving decisions about adapting houses located in vulnerable areas up to individual homeowners is ineffective.
—Zac Taylor, The Conversation, 9 June 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 16 Jun. 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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