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
Without that maturity, there is a high risk of many of your AI outputs being ineffective or even detrimental.
—
Ryan Austin, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The American Psychological Association, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and other medical associations have issued statements calling the practice harmful and ineffective at altering someone’s identity.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Leaders at the bureau failed to improve their practices during the Biden administration, utilizing outdated methods that rendered a once reliable system completely ineffective and calling into question the motivation behind their inaction.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
Freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood was ineffective in his first start away from home for Michigan.
—Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
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Ryan Austin, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The American Psychological Association, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and other medical associations have issued statements calling the practice harmful and ineffective at altering someone’s identity.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Leaders at the bureau failed to improve their practices during the Biden administration, utilizing outdated methods that rendered a once reliable system completely ineffective and calling into question the motivation behind their inaction.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
Freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood was ineffective in his first start away from home for Michigan.
—Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 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 17 Sep. 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
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