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
Vinegar baths are similarly ineffective.
—
Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 23 May 2026
Hart was ineffective all game, so coach Mike Brown down the stretch went with reserve Landry Shamet, who delivered with three 3-pointers and a lockdown defensive performance on Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden.
—Tim Casey, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
The nonprofit response In many countries, authoritarian attacks on the nonprofit sector have been met with ineffective resistance.
—Christopher Justin Einolf, The Conversation, 22 May 2026
In doing so, the TV adaptation fumbled the comics’ superior final act, turning Butcher’s own ignominious death at the hands of Hughie into an ineffective afterthought.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
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Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 23 May 2026
Hart was ineffective all game, so coach Mike Brown down the stretch went with reserve Landry Shamet, who delivered with three 3-pointers and a lockdown defensive performance on Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden.
—Tim Casey, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
The nonprofit response In many countries, authoritarian attacks on the nonprofit sector have been met with ineffective resistance.
—Christopher Justin Einolf, The Conversation, 22 May 2026
In doing so, the TV adaptation fumbled the comics’ superior final act, turning Butcher’s own ignominious death at the hands of Hughie into an ineffective afterthought.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 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 27 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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