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
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
The Panthers delivered a stunning 30-0 win over the Falcons in Week 3, but as a whole, the struggles have continued for this rebuilding team, and third-year quarterback Bryce Young remains erratic and largely ineffective.
—
Mike Jones, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Conversion therapy is also deemed ineffective and harmful to children by leading medical associations, such as the American Psychiatric Association and the American Medical Association.
—Timothy R. Holbrook, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
Brown recluses can survive for months without food or water, making pest elimination ineffective for control.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 2 Oct. 2025
In January 2010, a five-day hearing was held in the circuit court to hear testimony about Dassey's motion, much of which focused on evidence that his confession was coerced and that his trial counsel was ineffective.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
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.
Mike Jones, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Conversion therapy is also deemed ineffective and harmful to children by leading medical associations, such as the American Psychiatric Association and the American Medical Association.
—Timothy R. Holbrook, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
Brown recluses can survive for months without food or water, making pest elimination ineffective for control.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 2 Oct. 2025
In January 2010, a five-day hearing was held in the circuit court to hear testimony about Dassey's motion, much of which focused on evidence that his confession was coerced and that his trial counsel was ineffective.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
Cite this Entry
“Ineffective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ineffective. Accessed 5 Oct. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share