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
Starter James Paxton was immediately hurt and relievers Lucas Sims and Luis Garcia were ineffective and eventually injured.
—
Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 17 June 2025
But while Iran’s regional power projection was diminishing and its arsenal of missiles and drones twice proved largely ineffective, a third concern—a nuclear threat which Israel considered existential—was still growing.
—Ali Vaez, Time, 14 June 2025
It may be rendered ineffective before it can be brought to bear in combat.
—David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Housing & Homelessness Mold, plumbing problems persist at South L.A. apartment complex as city pledges action
May 25, 2022
Prior attempts at accountability for Nijjar and his companies have been spotty and ineffective.
—Liam Dillon, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
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Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 17 June 2025
But while Iran’s regional power projection was diminishing and its arsenal of missiles and drones twice proved largely ineffective, a third concern—a nuclear threat which Israel considered existential—was still growing.
—Ali Vaez, Time, 14 June 2025
It may be rendered ineffective before it can be brought to bear in combat.
—David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Housing & Homelessness Mold, plumbing problems persist at South L.A. apartment complex as city pledges action
May 25, 2022
Prior attempts at accountability for Nijjar and his companies have been spotty and ineffective.
—Liam Dillon, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 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 21 Jun. 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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