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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ineffective
More broadly, McCann has raised concerns about how the county is led, contending supervisors have been ineffective on homelessness and housing while running a budget deficit.
—
Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
While major players such as Facebook and YouTube might be able to absorb the legal pressure, smaller competitors could be forced out of the market or rendered ineffective.
—Daryl Lim, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2025
What really matters is whether the negotiations are effective or ineffective, the seriousness of the parties, their intentions, and their will to reach an agreement.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
The Canucks were mostly lifeless and ineffective with the early two power-play opportunities they were handed.
—Harman Dayal, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
While major players such as Facebook and YouTube might be able to absorb the legal pressure, smaller competitors could be forced out of the market or rendered ineffective.
—Daryl Lim, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2025
What really matters is whether the negotiations are effective or ineffective, the seriousness of the parties, their intentions, and their will to reach an agreement.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
The Canucks were mostly lifeless and ineffective with the early two power-play opportunities they were handed.
—Harman Dayal, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ineffective
Adjective
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But the Supreme Court denied the court order and requests to President Donald Trump from family, supporters and her attorney were unsuccessful.—
Nicole Acosta,
People.com,
19 Apr. 2025
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Meanwhile, Min and Chris’ closest friends, Kelly Marie Tran’s Angela, a research scientist, and Lily Gladstone’s Lee, an Indigenous community organizer, have been struggling to conceive a child; Lee has just found out that her second round of IVF has been unsuccessful.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Impeachment of judges, however, is widely seen as a futile endeavor on Capitol Hill.—
Tara Suter,
The Hill,
3 Apr. 2025
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The confrontation ends in an electric if futile horse chase.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The erosion of wealth due to inefficient tax structures underscores the importance of working with specialists who understand how to leverage available tools effectively.—
Ethan Stone,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2025
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But the small farms are inefficient and help explain a national poverty rate of more than 30%, the bank points out.—
Francine Kiefer,
Christian Science Monitor,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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For most of us, our inbox goals are the same: minimize useless spam, file away messages that don’t require your attention right away, and bring urgent items to the forefront.—
Aytekin Tank,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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His devastating splitter would be useless without first establishing everything else in the strike zone.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Cleaner air is always appealing, but rushing into sweeping regulatory shifts that will have little long-term effect would be counterproductive.—
Ryan Nawrocki,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Apr. 2025
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When Musk is in a bad mood, well, an interview is usually counterproductive.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ineffective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ineffective. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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