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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ineffective
The department said prosecutors, not police, determine whether cases move forward, adding that officers can coordinate with prosecutors to pursue traditional prosecution in cases where diversion is deemed ineffective.
—
Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Too much detergent, though, can cause a buildup of soap scum, leading to an ineffective rinse cycle.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2026
An ineffective anti-Trump movement is an indulgence American democracy cannot afford or accept.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2026
The brief said Shoemaker's original defense team was ineffective and failed to present evidence that the stillbirth was due to natural causes.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Too much detergent, though, can cause a buildup of soap scum, leading to an ineffective rinse cycle.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2026
An ineffective anti-Trump movement is an indulgence American democracy cannot afford or accept.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2026
The brief said Shoemaker's original defense team was ineffective and failed to present evidence that the stillbirth was due to natural causes.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ineffective
Adjective
-
But her appeal was unsuccessful.—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Industry lobbying unsuccessful to date Some advocates for the restaurant industry have been lobbying to change the way service fees are treated.—
Cheryl Winokur Munk,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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But the rally felt less threatening than futile.—
Zach Fisch,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
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And this is asking that question, how are these people finding meaning and purpose in their lives that feel so oppressive and futile?—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
5 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
-
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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Even Bill Gates, a onetime stalwart champion of climate action, said this week that near-term emissions targets are a distraction at best and could even be counterproductive for human welfare.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
30 Oct. 2025
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What resulted is one of the most comic, counterproductive, and clumsy episodes in the long history of British efforts to deal with Ireland.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ineffective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ineffective. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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