ineffective

adjective

in·ef·fec·tive ˌi-nə-ˈfek-tiv

Synonyms of ineffective

: not producing an intended effect : ineffectual

ineffective lighting

an ineffective treatment

: 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.

This conflation of fundraising with oversight leads to ineffective leadership, mission drift, and significant fiscal waste, including billions in turnover costs. — Aparna Rae, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 The Los Angeles City Council has rescinded camping bans on a dozen locations in Hollywood, Echo Park and Silver Lake at the urging of the area’s council member, who called the bans ineffective in addressing homelessness. — Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026 Mohamed Salah has departed, Hugo Ekitike is continuing a long recovery from his Achilles injury, and Federico Chiesa and Harvey Elliott have both had ineffective pre-seasons. — Andy Jones, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 Some critics have argued that the watermark will prove largely ineffective for flagging anything short of blatant chatbot use. — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026 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

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

in effect

ineffective

ineffectual

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Ineffective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ineffective. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ineffective

adjective

in·ef·fec·tive ˌin-ə-ˈfek-tiv

: not producing the desired effect

an ineffective law

: not performing as well as expected or needed

an ineffective leader

ineffectively adverb

ineffectiveness noun

ineffective

adjective

Synonyms of ineffective

Examples of ineffective in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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ineffective

adjective

Synonyms of ineffective

Examples of ineffective in a Sentence

Word History

Rhymes for ineffective

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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