1
as in unsuccessful
not producing the desired result
an ineffective effort to reduce unemployment that only spurred inflation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in futile
producing no results
an ineffective medication that will be denied FDA approval
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of ineffective
Martial law is usually enacted when civilian authority has ceased to function, is completely absent, or has become ineffective.
—
Joyce Orlando, Nashville Tennessean, 11 Aug. 2025
Those warrants are ineffective while the lawmakers remain out of state, however, as Democratic lawmakers in the states where the legislators have relocated—primarily Illinois—have refused to extradite them to Texas to be prosecuted.
—Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Trump administration officials have argued that development work is ineffective and gives away taxpayer money to corrupt governments.
—Fatma Tanis, NPR, 31 July 2025
Furthermore, police officers often lack the training necessary to respond effectively to transnational repression, resulting in inconsistent and ineffective support for transnational repression victims.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
Joyce Orlando, Nashville Tennessean, 11 Aug. 2025
Those warrants are ineffective while the lawmakers remain out of state, however, as Democratic lawmakers in the states where the legislators have relocated—primarily Illinois—have refused to extradite them to Texas to be prosecuted.
—Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Trump administration officials have argued that development work is ineffective and gives away taxpayer money to corrupt governments.
—Fatma Tanis, NPR, 31 July 2025
Furthermore, police officers often lack the training necessary to respond effectively to transnational repression, resulting in inconsistent and ineffective support for transnational repression victims.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ineffective
Adjective
-
As in the first case, life-saving efforts were unsuccessful.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
18 Aug. 2025
-
According to the coroner, the umbilical cord was not cut and an attempt to deliver the placenta at an unknown time the next morning was unsuccessful.—
David Chiu,
People.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Bodyguard of Lies, an investigation into the United States’ bloody, costly, and ultimately futile war in Afghanistan, will open theatrically for a limited run in New York on September 12, before bowing on the Paramount+ platform on Sept. 23.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
13 Aug. 2025
-
But given the likely futile nature of the Braves' remaining games at that point, he might unofficially be done for the year.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 July 2025
Adjective
-
President Donald Trump launched a fresh attack on windmills on Wednesday, again calling the renewable energy source inefficient and expensive, just a day after his administration unveiled new tariffs on wind turbines.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Much of the current focus and available funding is directed at deploying existing, often inefficient, technologies through subsidies and large-scale infrastructure projects.—
Rob van Straten,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Likewise, even the best dashboard is useless if your team doesn't use it.—
Ramachander Rao Thallada,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
-
One newspaper here calling the summit, sickening, shameful, and, in the end, useless.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
This can be counterproductive for long-term weight management, as muscle loss can lower the number of calories burned at rest.—
Sarah Jividen,
Verywell Health,
29 July 2025
-
Observers have noted that closing the Strait of Hormuz would be counterproductive for Iran, which relies on the waterway to get its own oil to customers, mostly in China.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ineffective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ineffective. Accessed 24 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share