1
as in unsuccessful
not producing the desired result
an ineffective effort to reduce unemployment that only spurred inflation
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in futile
producing no results
an ineffective medication that will be denied FDA approval
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ineffective
If the protests drag on, Trump and Newsom could each look ineffective, experts say.
—
Bart Jansen, USA Today, 11 June 2025
Governors are the Commanders in Chief of their National Guard and the federal government activating them in their own borders without consulting or working with a state's governor is ineffective and dangerous.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025
Seventy-one percent of Democrats say their leaders are ineffective.
—/ Cbs News, CBS News, 8 June 2025
Surgery may be considered if nonsurgical methods are ineffective or the underlying cause indicates surgery is the most effective option.
—Sukaina Hasnie, Verywell Health, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
Bart Jansen, USA Today, 11 June 2025
Governors are the Commanders in Chief of their National Guard and the federal government activating them in their own borders without consulting or working with a state's governor is ineffective and dangerous.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025
Seventy-one percent of Democrats say their leaders are ineffective.
—/ Cbs News, CBS News, 8 June 2025
Surgery may be considered if nonsurgical methods are ineffective or the underlying cause indicates surgery is the most effective option.
—Sukaina Hasnie, Verywell Health, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ineffective
Adjective
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Barca even took a legal case against the regulations to a Catalan court but were unsuccessful.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
-
Their efforts were unsuccessful, paving the way for Read's retrial this spring.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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The researchers said their findings should not suggest afforestation and carbon offsetting are futile.—
Hayley Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2025
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And beneath that fear lies a corrosive belief that resistance is futile.—
Elisa Manfredini,
Time,
14 June 2025
Adjective
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Windmills, and the rest of this 'JUNK,' are the most expensive and inefficient energy in the world, is destroying the beauty of the environment, and is 10 times more costly than any other energy.—
Adeola Adeosun
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 June 2025
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This type of development is inefficient at housing large populations.—
Kristian Fors,
Oc Register,
19 June 2025
Adjective
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However, disciplined conduct on the part of the activists and the intervention of other bystanders renders the attacks useless.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 June 2025
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Pine needles mixed with all the other fine debris rendered the guards useless.—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
14 June 2025
Adjective
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Anything that gets in the way of a smooth user experience will likely be ignored or disabled, and thus quickly becomes counterproductive from the perspective of attack mitigation.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
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Asked whether flying the banner of another country during a protest should be deemed offensive or counterproductive, Kim scoffed and shook his head.—
Salvador Hernandez,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ineffective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ineffective. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.
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