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
Perhaps unsurprisingly, subsequent attempts at diplomacy, led by the ailing diplomat and intellectual Benjamin Franklin, also proved ineffective.
—
Sarah M.s. Pearsall,
The Conversation,
2 July 2026
Skunks would rather put up with the strong scent of mothballs than leave a hospitable environment, making mothballs totally ineffective against skunks.
—
Michelle Mastro,
The Spruce,
1 July 2026
The federal workforce was initially built in the 19th century more on party loyalty than merit, which eventually triggered a corrupt and ineffective spoils system.
—
Michael P. Dempsey,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brace against Uzbekistan, yes, but was ineffective against DR Congo and Colombia, and is the only Portugal player to appear in every minute of the group stage.
—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
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Sarah M.s. Pearsall,
The Conversation,
2 July 2026
Skunks would rather put up with the strong scent of mothballs than leave a hospitable environment, making mothballs totally ineffective against skunks.
—
Michelle Mastro,
The Spruce,
1 July 2026
The federal workforce was initially built in the 19th century more on party loyalty than merit, which eventually triggered a corrupt and ineffective spoils system.
—
Michael P. Dempsey,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brace against Uzbekistan, yes, but was ineffective against DR Congo and Colombia, and is the only Portugal player to appear in every minute of the group stage.
—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
30 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 4 Jul. 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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