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
But a police oversight board without investigative powers is largely ineffective, said Ajenai Clemmons, an assistant professor of public policy in the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver.
—
Maria Cramer, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2024
The four-page document lays out the timeline of events and specific deficiencies by staff, including ineffective medical treatment and poor documentation.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Apr. 2024
Black employees were relegated to work behind the tills and in stock rooms–or otherwise fired on the spot alongside anyone Marsan deemed too large or alternative-looking–while blonde and red-headed girls were rewarded with higher salaries despite being ineffective workers.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2024
Critics cast Operation Lone Star as ineffective, subject to civil and human rights abuse, and expensive.
—Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Apr. 2024
The fact that a few professionals using very ineffective instruments belonging to the global north are trying to contain these problems is increasing psychological suffering.
—Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2024
The Padres’ starter, Michael King, was equally ineffective, issuing seven walks over four innings, but the Giants failed to capitalize.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 31 Mar. 2024
Aid groups have criticized airdrops and deliveries by sea as ineffective substitutes for deliveries by road.
—Miriam Berger, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024
At least one study shows the bill is likely to be ineffective at boosting supply.
—Nicole Santa Cruz, ProPublica, 19 Mar. 2024
Maria Cramer, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2024
The four-page document lays out the timeline of events and specific deficiencies by staff, including ineffective medical treatment and poor documentation.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Apr. 2024
Black employees were relegated to work behind the tills and in stock rooms–or otherwise fired on the spot alongside anyone Marsan deemed too large or alternative-looking–while blonde and red-headed girls were rewarded with higher salaries despite being ineffective workers.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2024
Critics cast Operation Lone Star as ineffective, subject to civil and human rights abuse, and expensive.
—Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Apr. 2024
The fact that a few professionals using very ineffective instruments belonging to the global north are trying to contain these problems is increasing psychological suffering.
—Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2024
The Padres’ starter, Michael King, was equally ineffective, issuing seven walks over four innings, but the Giants failed to capitalize.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 31 Mar. 2024
Aid groups have criticized airdrops and deliveries by sea as ineffective substitutes for deliveries by road.
—Miriam Berger, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024
At least one study shows the bill is likely to be ineffective at boosting supply.
—Nicole Santa Cruz, ProPublica, 19 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ineffective.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near ineffective
Cite this Entry
“Ineffective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ineffective. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.
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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