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
An ineffective Rasmus Hojlund left the stage.
—
James Horncastle, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Boston City Councilors Ed Flynn and Erin Murphy are in danger of being marginalized in City Hall, earnest yet ineffective at getting their initiatives passed and ignored by Mayor Michelle Wu.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
Evan Engram has been ineffective and injured.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025
Additionally, research has shown that a VNS implant significantly improves mood, vitality, and overall well-being in people with depression for whom traditional antidepressants are ineffective.
—Clarissa Brincat, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
James Horncastle, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Boston City Councilors Ed Flynn and Erin Murphy are in danger of being marginalized in City Hall, earnest yet ineffective at getting their initiatives passed and ignored by Mayor Michelle Wu.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
Evan Engram has been ineffective and injured.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025
Additionally, research has shown that a VNS implant significantly improves mood, vitality, and overall well-being in people with depression for whom traditional antidepressants are ineffective.
—Clarissa Brincat, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ineffective
Adjective
-
Conservatives like Schlafly, unsuccessful in their early 80’s boycott, had their first taste of activist success on the airwaves.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Sep. 2025
-
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel attempted to contact Rebholz via email about the school's fundraising goal and money raised but was unsuccessful.—
Cathy Kozlowicz,
jsonline.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
But the job search proved futile, partly due to visa uncertainties and the impacts of the Department of Government Efficiency.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Truly, skimping on this step will render everything else futile.—
Essence,
Essence,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
To overcome the challenge of inefficient routing, Professor Kyung-Joon Park’s team implemented a collective intelligence algorithm based on a human social phenomenon.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Without scale, businesses remain inefficient and uncompetitive.—
Emeka Ajene,
semafor.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
But having 10 power play opportunities also made the game somewhat useless.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
With her charger useless and the screen showing a dangerously low percentage, the reality sank in.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Once again, the process is likely to be costly, counterproductive and completely unnecessary.—
Bloomberg Opinion,
Twin Cities,
25 Sep. 2025
-
An argument, on the other hand, is counterproductive.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ineffective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ineffective. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share