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

However, at Fulcrum, the policy is to administer treatments only every 12 weeks to prevent any potential antibody response against the toxin's peptide component, which could render the treatment less effective or ineffective. —Nick Kasmik, USA TODAY, 18 May 2024

Increasingly, brain cells die, connections between brain cells are damaged and ineffective, memory declines along with thinking skills (cognition), and the brain shrinks. —Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 16 May 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