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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ineffective
These proposals recognize that leaving decisions about adapting houses located in vulnerable areas up to individual homeowners is ineffective.
—
Zac Taylor, The Conversation, 9 June 2026
Still, the plan has sparked fierce backlash from animal-rights advocates, who argue the mass killing campaign is both unethical and ineffective.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026
That review has been a mainstay of America's health system, with the FDA acting as a gatekeeper to protect the public from unsafe or ineffective drugs.
—Daniel Gilbert, CBS News, 8 June 2026
Unions can either be effective or ineffective, and that depends entirely on their members.
—John Vukmirovich, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
Zac Taylor, The Conversation, 9 June 2026
Still, the plan has sparked fierce backlash from animal-rights advocates, who argue the mass killing campaign is both unethical and ineffective.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026
That review has been a mainstay of America's health system, with the FDA acting as a gatekeeper to protect the public from unsafe or ineffective drugs.
—Daniel Gilbert, CBS News, 8 June 2026
Unions can either be effective or ineffective, and that depends entirely on their members.
—John Vukmirovich, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ineffective
Adjective
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There were certainly many unsuccessful fits and starts.—
Katie Kelly Bell,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
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Pearson said multiple attempts by Fish and Game to trap the bear were unsuccessful.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
18 June 2026
Adjective
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Fahd, cradling his bloodied baby, pressing his hand to Sam’s head in a futile attempt to staunch the bleeding.—
Jeremy Diamond,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
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The suit recounts the rapid deterioration — and futile attempts to salvage — what for a long time had been a mutually beneficial professional and artistic partnership.—
Mary Carole McCauley,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
Adjective
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Changes to fiscal policies so that the government does not continue bailing out inefficient state enterprises.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
12 June 2026
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In reality, inefficient data management drives unnecessary scale.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Adjective
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This playful fourish, although useless in terms of timekeeping, requires 200 of the 646 components in the watch and two engineers had to work simultaneously to ensure the face shield and the movement operated in harmony.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
12 June 2026
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Some of us choose to stay away from X, Instagram and the like, so posting a bunch of screenshots with links to additional story info on social media apps is useless.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
The idea of ever getting comfortable or confident is almost counterproductive.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
12 June 2026
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Doing so while having to perform in games where the results are all that matter can be confounding and even counterproductive.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ineffective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ineffective. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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