ineffective

adjective

in·​ef·​fec·​tive ˌi-nə-ˈfek-tiv How to pronounce ineffective (audio)
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 by then the AfD may well prove to be Germany’s second-biggest party, and the party system may be so fragmented that unstable and ineffective three-party coalitions, such as the one Scholz is leading today, may be the country’s only option. Joseph De Weck, The Atlantic, 20 Mar. 2024 The president was speaking before a historically ineffective Congress. Zeke Miller, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024 The United States is an uninterested, ineffective hegemon, and its great-power rivals even more so. Gregg Carlstrom, Foreign Affairs, 6 Mar. 2024 However, the law was repealed in 1974 for being unpopular and ineffective. Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 6 Mar. 2024 Only a trickle of aid has been reaching northern Gaza via land, but aid groups have criticized airdrops as ineffective. Thomas Fuller, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Related article Popular TikTok workouts may be dangerous or ineffective, experts say Ozempic, Wegovy and other GLP-1 prescription drugs have swept through wealthier demographics of the country. Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024 Clinical trials stand out amidst the bleak landscape of GBM treatment, where patients typically receive surgery, followed by a toxic and ultimately ineffective regimen of chemotherapy drugs and radiotherapy (i.e. beams of intense energy to kill cancer cells). Ourbrainbank, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Pharmaceuticals: Counterfeit medication is common and may prove to be ineffective, the wrong strength, or contain dangerous ingredients. Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 1 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.

Word History

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ineffective was in 1649

Dictionary Entries Near ineffective

Cite this Entry

“Ineffective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ineffective. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ineffective

adjective
in·​ef·​fec·​tive ˌin-ə-ˈfek-tiv How to pronounce ineffective (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on ineffective

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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