ineffective

adjective

ˌi-nə-ˈfek-tiv How to pronounce ineffective (audio)
Definition of ineffectivenext
1
as in unsuccessful
not producing the desired result an ineffective effort to reduce unemployment that only spurred inflation

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in futile
producing no results an ineffective medication that will be denied FDA approval

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of ineffective The organizations have deemed the practice as harmful and ineffective. — Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026 Pike’s unsuccessful appeals have alleged ineffective assistance of counsel and argued that executing her would be unconstitutional because of her mental illness, according to court documents. — Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026 After powerful antibiotics proved mostly ineffective, the experts from the aquarium and University of Florida developed a bacteriophage treatment for Jetta, according to a statement sent to Popular Science. — Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2026 But enforcement actions often prove to be lacking and ineffective. — Michael L. Hyman, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ineffective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ineffective
  1. unsuccessful
  2. futile
  3. inefficient
  4. useless
  5. counterproductive
Adjective
  • Attempts by The Associated Press to reach the other men or their representatives have been unsuccessful.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Other searches to find PBHs near and far, however, have so far been unsuccessful.
    — Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of unsuccessful
Adjective
  • Before the court fight was launched, Edwin Benn, the arbitrator who oversaw 2023 contract negotiations between the city and FOP, warned the City Council that any attempt to undermine his award to the union would be futile.
    — Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
  • It’s also brilliantly written as a futile, pathetic rebellion by men with zero agency or purpose in their own lives.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of futile
Adjective
  • Leaky roofs, inefficient heating and deteriorating buildings — those are just a few of the improvements that need to be made within Lodi schools.
    — Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Field agents endure inefficient routing and prolonged idle times between assignments, and passengers experience frustrating delays at gates or baggage claims.
    — Justin Newell, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of inefficient
Adjective
  • This is effective when done correctly and useless when done almost correctly.
    — Ronald Stair, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Of course, these same politicians were nowhere to be found in the past six months of this useless war.
    — Colleen Kujawa, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of useless
Adjective
  • Industry analysts note that abandoning the export ban reflects recognition that such restrictions could prove counterproductive.
    — , CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
  • His research interests include event system theory and workplace behaviors, especially proactive behaviors (such as creativity and citizenship), and counterproductive ones (such as turnover and abusive supervision).
    — Cynthia Lee, Harvard Business Review, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of counterproductive

Browse Nearby Words

ineffaceable
ineffective
ineffectively
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Cite this Entry

“Ineffective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ineffective. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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