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
Suspensions One Kansas City food business was suspended due to ineffective pest control measures.
—
Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 16 May 2026
Glossip was first convicted of capital murder in 1998, a decision that was overturned in 2001 due to ineffective defense counsel, per the outlet.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Videos of these strikes suggest that, despite many Russian vehicles being equipped with electronic warfare systems, such defenses have been ineffective against these drones.
—Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
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Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 16 May 2026
Glossip was first convicted of capital murder in 1998, a decision that was overturned in 2001 due to ineffective defense counsel, per the outlet.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Videos of these strikes suggest that, despite many Russian vehicles being equipped with electronic warfare systems, such defenses have been ineffective against these drones.
—Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
Cite this Entry
“Ineffective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ineffective. Accessed 19 May. 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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