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
Synonyms
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
Furthermore, the film hinges on the passionate, lustful romance between Fiennes and Mol, a fire that supposedly burns for over 14 years, but the palpable lack of chemistry between the two leads renders the love story completely ineffective.
—
Vikram Murthi, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2025
Its origins date back to early practices where warriors demonstrated peaceful intentions by rendering their weapons ineffective.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
Buddy Hield, who went 1-for-3 at the foul line, was particularly ineffective in that key stretch.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2025
Therefore, policy efforts aiming to equalize the supply of healthy groceries across neighborhoods are wasteful and ineffective.
—Ge Bai, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for ineffective 
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Vikram Murthi, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2025
Its origins date back to early practices where warriors demonstrated peaceful intentions by rendering their weapons ineffective.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
Buddy Hield, who went 1-for-3 at the foul line, was particularly ineffective in that key stretch.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2025
Therefore, policy efforts aiming to equalize the supply of healthy groceries across neighborhoods are wasteful and ineffective.
—Ge Bai, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for ineffective
Dictionary Entries Near ineffective
Cite this Entry
“Ineffective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ineffective. Accessed 29 Jan. 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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