ineffective

adjective

in·​ef·​fec·​tive ˌi-nə-ˈfek-tiv How to pronounce ineffective (audio)
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
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.
Employees describe her as a poor leader and ineffective communicator who has zealously enacted Trump’s agenda. Eric Geller, WIRED, 13 Mar. 2025 Instead, tariff revenues become entangled in bureaucratic structures, subject to administrative inefficiencies, delays, and ineffective allocation. Ali Hoss, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025 Porter was especially hard on himself after his ineffective series in 2024. Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 13 Mar. 2025 Some had ignored public health advice and listened to people who said vaccines were harmful — including a local pathologist who promoted COVID-19 vaccine skepticism and ineffective treatments, then won appointment to a public health board alongside Labrador. Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ineffective

Word History

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ineffective was in 1649

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ineffective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ineffective. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

ineffective

adjective
in·​ef·​fec·​tive ˌin-ə-ˈfek-tiv How to pronounce ineffective (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on ineffective

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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