1
as in unsuccessful
not producing the desired result
an ineffective effort to reduce unemployment that only spurred inflation
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ineffective
Starting forward Jeremiah Oden was largely ineffective (zero points), so Dutcher turned to the 6-6 Simmons.
—
Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
While this may seem like a humane way to get help to people in need on its face, research has shown that involuntary commitment is frequently ineffective in treating mental illness.
—Sakeena Trice, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
The results were based off the assumption that during a rapidly evolving civil emergency like this, courts would be largely ineffective at stopping federal overreach.
—Joe Wilkins Published Jan 22, Futurism, 22 Jan. 2026
Brajan Gruda, for example, had his best game for the club in the 2-1 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the FA Cup, but the German Under-21 international was ineffective and lightweight on the right flank against Bournemouth.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
While this may seem like a humane way to get help to people in need on its face, research has shown that involuntary commitment is frequently ineffective in treating mental illness.
—Sakeena Trice, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
The results were based off the assumption that during a rapidly evolving civil emergency like this, courts would be largely ineffective at stopping federal overreach.
—Joe Wilkins Published Jan 22, Futurism, 22 Jan. 2026
Brajan Gruda, for example, had his best game for the club in the 2-1 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the FA Cup, but the German Under-21 international was ineffective and lightweight on the right flank against Bournemouth.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ineffective
Adjective
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These therapies are not universally successful, of course, but can often save lives and defeat cancers where other methods are unsuccessful.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Jan. 2026
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Symptoms include cravings, unsuccessful quit attempts, tolerance and withdrawal.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Their effort to find a home in Overtown seemed futile until Miami-Dade County Commissioner Keon Hardemon, who grew up in Liberty City, conceived a brilliant idea.—
Dorothy Jenkins Fields,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
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But the rally felt less threatening than futile.—
Zach Fisch,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Willingly taking back an inefficient contract from a contender, even if that contract has term involved, is just a more extreme application of this basic logic.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
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In processes like this, any loss of carbon as carbon dioxide is a key sign that the underlying process is inefficient.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Brown’s statement on Monday was mostly useless corporate-speak.—
Paul Dehner Jr,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
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This tiny amount of copper acts as a molecular steering wheel, preventing sugar molecules from shattering into useless carbon dioxide.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Short-term fixes alone are unlikely to address the root causes of affordability and, if misguided, could even prove counterproductive.—
Gene Ludwig,
Fortune,
11 Jan. 2026
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Swart warned the street unrest is actively counterproductive.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ineffective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ineffective. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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