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
An investigation by the United Kingdom’s Information Commissioner found that the company’s claims about its predictive model were exaggerated and ineffective, according to The Associated Press.
—
David Smiley, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
The report also concluded that the techniques used were ineffective.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2025
Two years later, after more legal wrangling, the Connecticut Supreme Court voted narrowly to overturn his conviction, ruling that Skakel's right to a fair trial was compromised by ineffective legal representation.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
The second one manages to reach the missile but fails to connect, proving ineffective.
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
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David Smiley, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
The report also concluded that the techniques used were ineffective.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2025
Two years later, after more legal wrangling, the Connecticut Supreme Court voted narrowly to overturn his conviction, ruling that Skakel's right to a fair trial was compromised by ineffective legal representation.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
The second one manages to reach the missile but fails to connect, proving ineffective.
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 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 14 Nov. 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
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