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 introductions of Ruben Dias and Rayan Cherki bolstered City, whereas Slot was slow to take off the ineffective Cody Gakpo, with Jones still waiting to be introduced when the visitors equalised.
—
James Pearce, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Research consistently shows that competition from private schools encourages public schools to improve communication with families, replace ineffective staff and innovate instruction.
—Paul Vallas, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
Many of his song lyrics criticize the ineffective response by the government in Puerto Rico to crises like the hurricanes that have pummeled the island and caused island-wide blackouts in recent years.
—Kiki Intarasuwan, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
So how did the Dolphins go from having one of the league’s best short yardage running games in the first half of the season to dealing with an ineffective one for much of the second half?
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
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James Pearce, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Research consistently shows that competition from private schools encourages public schools to improve communication with families, replace ineffective staff and innovate instruction.
—Paul Vallas, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
Many of his song lyrics criticize the ineffective response by the government in Puerto Rico to crises like the hurricanes that have pummeled the island and caused island-wide blackouts in recent years.
—Kiki Intarasuwan, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
So how did the Dolphins go from having one of the league’s best short yardage running games in the first half of the season to dealing with an ineffective one for much of the second half?
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 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 12 Feb. 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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