ineffective

adjective

ˌi-nə-ˈfek-tiv How to pronounce ineffective (audio)
Definition of ineffectivenext
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 The drug was working well for them, but then the trial was canceled for supposedly being ineffective for the group as a whole. — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026 Websites often attract unsuitable clients due to ineffective copy, hindering business growth. — Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 But these types of cases, especially ones where the petitioner claims ineffective assistance of counsel, are hard to win, two defense attorneys told the Statesman. — Alex Brizee july 30, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2026 The outlet reported that the petition claims Shirilla had ineffective counsel, which resulted in insufficient evidence being presented to establish probable cause and improper admission of evidence at trial. — Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ineffective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ineffective
  1. unsuccessful
  2. futile
  3. inefficient
  4. useless
  5. counterproductive
Adjective
  • Steyer, a Democratic billionaire who spent more than $215 million of his own money in his unsuccessful bid for governor, took fire from rivals for paying content creators.
    — Sophie Austin, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Multiple attempts by Star reporters to contact McGee Thursday afternoon were unsuccessful.
    — Ilana Arougheti Updated August 7, Kansas City Star, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of unsuccessful
Adjective
  • Stuart Bloom’s futile efforts to right the space-time continuum will continue.
    — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The central legal debate in the last stretch leading up to Mangione’s trial has revolved around who will get to participate in this perhaps futile—though understandable—interpretive exercise.
    — Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of futile
Adjective
  • The idea that government, which has been defined as incompetent and inefficient for decades, could provide grocery abundance and variety better than Walmart and Costco has triggered a visceral reaction among critics.
    — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Companies would not respond to an inefficient manufacturing operation simply by purchasing more machinery.
    — Eugene Litvak, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of inefficient
Adjective
  • Even the useless adults of The Shards would surely act quickly to arrest Robert with this much evidence.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Talarico calls Big Bend border wall 'useless' Democratic candidate James Talarico reacted to images of bulldozers at Big Bend in an X post.
    — Natassia Paloma, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of useless
Adjective
  • But worse, military action in Mexico would ultimately be counterproductive in the fight against drug cartels.
    — Chris Shays, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Ultimately, glorifying sleep deprivation is counterproductive; prioritizing sleep is key for career longevity and productivity, while chronic insomnia leads to impaired judgment and hinders professional growth.
    — Mena Mirhom, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of counterproductive

Browse Nearby Words

ineffaceable
ineffective
ineffectively
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ineffective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ineffective. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on ineffective

Nglish: Translation of ineffective for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of zeugma

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All