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
Synonyms
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
One deputy fired multiple less-lethal shotgun rounds at Gilmore to stop and disarm him, but the rounds were ineffective.
—
Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 8 May 2024
Republicans on Wednesday repeatedly sought to portray education leaders as ineffective in their job to stymie antisemitic acts.
—Ken Tran, USA TODAY, 8 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for ineffective 
Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 8 May 2024
Republicans on Wednesday repeatedly sought to portray education leaders as ineffective in their job to stymie antisemitic acts.
—Ken Tran, USA TODAY, 8 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for ineffective
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ineffective.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near ineffective
Cite this Entry
“Ineffective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ineffective. Accessed 10 May. 2024.
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