ineffective
adjective
in·ef·fec·tive
ˌi-nə-ˈfek-tiv 
1
: not producing an intended effect : ineffectual
ineffective lighting
2
: not capable of performing efficiently or as expected : incapable
an ineffective executive
ineffectively
adverb
ineffectiveness
noun
Examples of ineffective in a Sentence
The treatment was ineffective against the disease.
an ineffective effort to reduce unemployment that only spurred inflation
Recent Examples on the Web
The intraparty wrangling has also hit the Democratic National Committee, where leaders are pressuring Hogg to drop a push to primary some Democratic incumbents deemed ineffective and aging.
—
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2025
The Crown’s offensive diversity — featuring 10 different goal scorers this season — proved ineffective against New England’s tactical discipline.
—Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2025
Though academic studies and publications such as The Economist have long argued that economic sanctions are ineffective as a tool of geopolitics, the United States has emerged as the architect of a world awash in economic warfare.
—Julian Ku, National Review, 26 Apr. 2025
Perhaps certain prime-time blocks are ineffective and need shifting.
—Dan Pontefract, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
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.
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2025
The Crown’s offensive diversity — featuring 10 different goal scorers this season — proved ineffective against New England’s tactical discipline.
—Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2025
Though academic studies and publications such as The Economist have long argued that economic sanctions are ineffective as a tool of geopolitics, the United States has emerged as the architect of a world awash in economic warfare.
—Julian Ku, National Review, 26 Apr. 2025
Perhaps certain prime-time blocks are ineffective and need shifting.
—Dan Pontefract, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
Cite this Entry
“Ineffective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ineffective. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ineffective
adjective
in·ef·fec·tive
ˌin-ə-ˈfek-tiv
1
: not producing the desired effect
an ineffective law
2
: not performing as well as expected or needed
an ineffective leader
ineffectively
adverb
ineffectiveness
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share