1
as in unsuccessful
not producing the desired result
an ineffective effort to reduce unemployment that only spurred inflation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in futile
producing no results
an ineffective medication that will be denied FDA approval
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ineffective
In the vacuum left by absent landlords and ineffective courts, communities turned instead to local strongmen—enforcers who offered protection for a price.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 May 2026
The Appeals Court affirmed his convictions Tuesday and denied his motion for a new trial, overruling claims that there were issues with the judge not excusing a juror for cause and the defense counsel was ineffective.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 13 May 2026
The cases would seem to be basically over, except that Muneeb has begun filing handwritten petitions from jail, arguing that his lawyer has been ineffective.
—Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 12 May 2026
This allows the defendant to potentially raise claims based on facts outside of the trial record, such as claims about ineffective trial counsel.
—Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 May 2026
The Appeals Court affirmed his convictions Tuesday and denied his motion for a new trial, overruling claims that there were issues with the judge not excusing a juror for cause and the defense counsel was ineffective.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 13 May 2026
The cases would seem to be basically over, except that Muneeb has begun filing handwritten petitions from jail, arguing that his lawyer has been ineffective.
—Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 12 May 2026
This allows the defendant to potentially raise claims based on facts outside of the trial record, such as claims about ineffective trial counsel.
—Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ineffective
Adjective
-
Investigators said that an initial PIT maneuver was unsuccessful, but a second one caused the truck to crash into another vehicle and roll over onto its side – an incident that was caught on home surveillance video.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
-
Jeremy Brandon Johnson, 53, of Eveleth, was pronounced dead at the scene after lifesaving measures were unsuccessful.—
Forum News Service,
Twin Cities,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
But this story has a happier, less futile ending.—
Deborah Treisman,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
-
To complain about cramps was futile.—
Nami Mun,
The Atlantic,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
Although this might seem inefficient for a bird of their size, inside a rainforest, long soaring wings would actually be more of a liability than an asset.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
-
In their final seasons, the critique extends to AI’s temptations and shortcomings, ultimately making the case for the inefficient art of comedy.—
Caroline Framke,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
In other words, Greg had thought insomnia a problem of the rich, the weak, the useless, the indulgent, the lazy.—
Weike Wang,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
-
But those GPUs are useless without the memory chips stacked alongside them, and Samsung’s three fabrication complexes in South Korea are among the most important pieces of the AI industrial boom.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
That assumption is both outdated and counterproductive.—
Adam Goodcoff,
STAT,
13 May 2026
-
However foolhardy, counterproductive and costly, cities have a right to challenge state laws.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ineffective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ineffective. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
