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
The fact that a few professionals using very ineffective instruments belonging to the global north are trying to contain these problems is increasing psychological suffering.
—
Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2024
The Padres’ starter, Michael King, was equally ineffective, issuing seven walks over four innings, but the Giants failed to capitalize.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 31 Mar. 2024
Aid groups have criticized airdrops and deliveries by sea as ineffective substitutes for deliveries by road.
—Miriam Berger, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024
At least one study shows the bill is likely to be ineffective at boosting supply.
—Nicole Santa Cruz, ProPublica, 19 Mar. 2024
This helped avoid potentially damaging and ineffective treatments, while also saving costs.
—Byjohn Kell, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2024
But many of us know that yelling is an ineffective way to get your kids to listen to you or take action.
—Vicki Glembocki, Parents, 19 Mar. 2024
Students say suspensions are ineffective This fall, two high schoolers in Providence, Rhode Island, walked out of a classroom.
—Sarah Butrymowicz, USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2024
Jane filed motions from prison citing such issues as insufficient evidence and ineffective assistance of counsel.
—Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2024
Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2024
The Padres’ starter, Michael King, was equally ineffective, issuing seven walks over four innings, but the Giants failed to capitalize.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 31 Mar. 2024
Aid groups have criticized airdrops and deliveries by sea as ineffective substitutes for deliveries by road.
—Miriam Berger, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024
At least one study shows the bill is likely to be ineffective at boosting supply.
—Nicole Santa Cruz, ProPublica, 19 Mar. 2024
This helped avoid potentially damaging and ineffective treatments, while also saving costs.
—Byjohn Kell, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2024
But many of us know that yelling is an ineffective way to get your kids to listen to you or take action.
—Vicki Glembocki, Parents, 19 Mar. 2024
Students say suspensions are ineffective This fall, two high schoolers in Providence, Rhode Island, walked out of a classroom.
—Sarah Butrymowicz, USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2024
Jane filed motions from prison citing such issues as insufficient evidence and ineffective assistance of counsel.
—Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2024
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 18 Apr. 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
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