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
But there’s little sense in safeguarding an ineffective K-12 status quo, particularly for students without wealth or social capital.
—
Ryan Craig, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Many Back Pain Therapies Were Identified as Ineffective Three therapies were specifically identified as being ineffective for acute low back pain: exercise, steroid injections, and acetaminophen (Tylenol).
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 20 Mar. 2025
The company identified material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting, primarily due to insufficient resources and ineffective controls related to financial reporting processes.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 20 Mar. 2025
The goal here is to choose an activity that helps regulate your nervous system versus something that the Internet may be doing, but is ineffective for your needs.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
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Ryan Craig, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Many Back Pain Therapies Were Identified as Ineffective Three therapies were specifically identified as being ineffective for acute low back pain: exercise, steroid injections, and acetaminophen (Tylenol).
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 20 Mar. 2025
The company identified material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting, primarily due to insufficient resources and ineffective controls related to financial reporting processes.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 20 Mar. 2025
The goal here is to choose an activity that helps regulate your nervous system versus something that the Internet may be doing, but is ineffective for your needs.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 14 Mar. 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 2 Apr. 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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