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
Changes in texture, smell, color, or performance signal that a product is unsafe or ineffective and should be thrown away immediately.
—
Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 30 Dec. 2025
The Angels have already added starters Grayson Rodriguez and Alek Manoah, reliever Jordan Romano and infielder Vaughn Grissom, all of whom were injured, ineffective or both in 2025.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 30 Dec. 2025
The brief said Shoemaker's original defense team was ineffective and failed to present evidence that the stillbirth was due to natural causes.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 30 Dec. 2025
In contrast, ineffective middle managers — whether due to inexperience, poor job fit, vague guidance from their own bosses or another reason — can weaken performance and morale.
—Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 29 Dec. 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.
Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 30 Dec. 2025
The Angels have already added starters Grayson Rodriguez and Alek Manoah, reliever Jordan Romano and infielder Vaughn Grissom, all of whom were injured, ineffective or both in 2025.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 30 Dec. 2025
The brief said Shoemaker's original defense team was ineffective and failed to present evidence that the stillbirth was due to natural causes.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 30 Dec. 2025
In contrast, ineffective middle managers — whether due to inexperience, poor job fit, vague guidance from their own bosses or another reason — can weaken performance and morale.
—Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 29 Dec. 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 Jan. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share