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
The candidates also debated leadership and experience, with Abraham criticizing Foster and calling him an ineffective leader who ignores constituents and doesn’t give the district a strong voice at City Hall.
—
David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Many Americans now view the state as either ineffective or captured by the industries it is supposed to regulate.
—Nicolas S. Rohatyn, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
Major medical and mental health organizations have consistently concluded that conversion therapy is ineffective and carries serious risks of harm.
—A.j. Russo, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2026
Trump responded sharply the following day, criticizing the pope's leadership and accusing him of being weak on crime and ineffective on foreign policy.
—Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
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David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Many Americans now view the state as either ineffective or captured by the industries it is supposed to regulate.
—Nicolas S. Rohatyn, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
Major medical and mental health organizations have consistently concluded that conversion therapy is ineffective and carries serious risks of harm.
—A.j. Russo, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2026
Trump responded sharply the following day, criticizing the pope's leadership and accusing him of being weak on crime and ineffective on foreign policy.
—Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 13 Apr. 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 20 Apr. 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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