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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ineffective
That worked, and Minnesota’s base defense – an elite weapon for much of the year – has been rendered ineffective through two games of this series.
—
Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 24 May 2025
The active ingredients in sunscreen break down and become ineffective when exposed to heat and light, and moisture can cause mold or yeast to grow.
—Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025
This encompasses weak network security, ineffective firewalls, insufficient intrusion detection and prevention systems and inadequate access controls.
—Dewayne Hart, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
At least for now, the biggest differentiator between effective and ineffective use of AI for marketing strategy or content production is the human in the driver’s seat.
—Andrew Allen, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 24 May 2025
The active ingredients in sunscreen break down and become ineffective when exposed to heat and light, and moisture can cause mold or yeast to grow.
—Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025
This encompasses weak network security, ineffective firewalls, insufficient intrusion detection and prevention systems and inadequate access controls.
—Dewayne Hart, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
At least for now, the biggest differentiator between effective and ineffective use of AI for marketing strategy or content production is the human in the driver’s seat.
—Andrew Allen, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ineffective
Adjective
-
Efforts to reach Suncor officials for this story were unsuccessful.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
7 June 2025
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One game after the Oilers were unsuccessful in challenging that Bennett interfered with Stuart Skinner during the game’s first goal, Bennett toppled over Skinner after getting contact from Ekholm later in the period.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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The fight against short-term rentals, after all, can be futile.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
6 June 2025
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But without Congress actually enacting the DOGE cuts into law, history will show this entire exercise to have been largely futile.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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Yet Apple still plans to support the older, slower and inefficient Intel MacBook Pro models.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
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The company said operating out of the historic buildings in midtown has become inefficient.—
Annika Merrilees,
Sacbee.com,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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The bad job, the relaxing sabbatical, the useless degree.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
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Through a charmingly off-kilter blend of 2D aesthetics, the film follows a protagonist who, after catching a highly contagious virus, must abandon her work as a personal assistant to a demanding boss and her duties at home with a useless husband and two needy kids.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
7 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 19 Jun. 2025.
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