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

The White House takes aim at the Biden administration and Democrats’ handling of the pandemic, arguing lockdowns were detrimental, masks were ineffective, and the 6-foot distance rule was arbitrarily made up by Fauci. —Elaine Mallon, The Washington Examiner, 18 Apr. 2025

If both avoidance and OTC medicines are ineffective, an allergist may suggest exposure therapy in the form of shots, which help people become less sensitive to their allergy triggers over time. —Sarah Cottone, Health, 16 Apr. 2025

Aware that people often freeze or panic when faced with danger, using complex or multiple self-defense tools has proved to be ineffective. —Yola Robert, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025

Knee issues aside, Stroman has been ineffective for some time. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 13 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ineffective

• intellective
• introspective
• irrespective
• nondirective
• nonselective
• retrospective
• unreflective
• advective
• affective
• collective
• connective
• convective

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