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

• counterproductive
• feckless
• hamstrung
• ineffectual
• inefficacious
• inefficient
• inexpedient

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, early on in Game Five, Flaherty was ineffective, New York went ahead by five runs, and Yankee Stadium emanated good cheer. —Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024

But the reality is that if top leadership isn’t aligned, any attempts at transformation further down the line will be ineffective. —Carlos Hoyos, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

Israel’s restraint on Saturday allowed Iran to dismiss it as ineffective, possibly setting the stage for a restrained response or no response at all. —Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2024

The other side: Alex Pedersen, a former council member who chaired the city's transportation committee, argued in a statement of opposition that the levy would be financially burdensome, unfair and ineffective. —Christine Clarridge, Axios, 22 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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