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
The 36-year-old pitcher was ineffective from the start at Kauffman Stadium.
—
Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2026
Johnson’s latest Springfield visit comes as his office’s lobbying efforts under the dome have been criticized by even legislative Democrats as ineffective.
—Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
Jarrett Allen was ineffective because of three first-quarter fouls, which Atkinson said hosed the Cavs’ rhythm and rotations.
—Joe Vardon, New York Times, 6 May 2026
Forty-four percent of Gen Z workers admit to actively sabotaging their company’s AI rollout by entering proprietary data into public tools, refusing to use AI outright, or intentionally producing low-quality AI outputs to make the technology look ineffective.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2026
Johnson’s latest Springfield visit comes as his office’s lobbying efforts under the dome have been criticized by even legislative Democrats as ineffective.
—Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
Jarrett Allen was ineffective because of three first-quarter fouls, which Atkinson said hosed the Cavs’ rhythm and rotations.
—Joe Vardon, New York Times, 6 May 2026
Forty-four percent of Gen Z workers admit to actively sabotaging their company’s AI rollout by entering proprietary data into public tools, refusing to use AI outright, or intentionally producing low-quality AI outputs to make the technology look ineffective.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ineffective
Adjective
-
Golden State Warriors co-owner Joe Lacob said his unsuccessful bid to buy the San Diego Padres assumed that the entire 2027 MLB season would likely be lost due to labor strife.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
6 May 2026
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The assailant stabbed the pope with a bayonet, but the assassination attempt was unsuccessful.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Adjective
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Since efforts to end the war began, Trump has frequently switched between publicly projecting progress and dismissing the talks as futile.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
6 May 2026
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But although resistance is similarly futile, their goals are less about assimilation than worshipping the obsessive Grant's wife, Starla (Elizabeth Banks).—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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However, conventional anaerobic digestion remains relatively inefficient, with the process typically converting less than 40% of the sludge's carbon into usable gas.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
9 May 2026
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From Tecolote to Liberty Station, the city has proven inefficient at managing property.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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But at a certain point in adulthood, prayer began to feel useless to me.—
Terry Ward,
CNN Money,
4 May 2026
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From certain side sections, the rear screen was nearly useless.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Administration officials singling out wind was counterproductive to ongoing bipartisan Congressional talks on reforming the federal permitting system for all forms of energy, Grumet said.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
7 May 2026
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In some cases, attempts to diagnose and treat can be counterproductive.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ineffective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ineffective. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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