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 some experts are warning that this viral weight-loss trend is likely to be ineffective. —Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week Uk, theweek, 23 Dec. 2024

Green was ineffective early, committing four first-half fouls in 10 minutes. —Anthony Slater, The Athletic, 20 Dec. 2024

Those advantages also have a downside: ramjets are entirely ineffective at low speeds and are often accompanied by turbojets to handle subsonic flight, where the airspeed isn't enough to feed air-hungry ramjet engines. —New Atlas, 20 Dec. 2024

Pittsburgh was hugely ineffective in a 27-13 loss to Philadelphia a week, its most decisive loss of the season. —Jack Magruder, Forbes, 19 Dec. 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