ineffective
adjective
in·ef·fec·tive
ˌi-nə-ˈfek-tiv 
1
: not producing an intended effect : ineffectual
ineffective lighting
2
: not capable of performing efficiently or as expected : incapable
an ineffective executive
ineffectively
adverb
ineffectiveness
noun
Synonyms
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
Yet his approach is likely to be both divisive and ineffective.
—
Hannah Rosenthal and David Saperstein, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Without this shift, Chicago’s cultural strategies will remain temporary, unsustainable and ineffective.
—Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025
Project 2025 explicitly called for this action, describing the WHO as an ineffective and politically biased organization that undermines American sovereignty.
—Nik Popli, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
Fox News reported that the new administration viewed her as ineffective in the deployment of Coast Guard assets to support national border security, including in intercepting fentanyl and other illicit substances.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for ineffective 
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Hannah Rosenthal and David Saperstein, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Without this shift, Chicago’s cultural strategies will remain temporary, unsustainable and ineffective.
—Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025
Project 2025 explicitly called for this action, describing the WHO as an ineffective and politically biased organization that undermines American sovereignty.
—Nik Popli, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
Fox News reported that the new administration viewed her as ineffective in the deployment of Coast Guard assets to support national border security, including in intercepting fentanyl and other illicit substances.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for ineffective
Dictionary Entries Near ineffective
Cite this Entry
“Ineffective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ineffective. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
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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