ineffective

[in-i-fek-tiv]

adjective

1. not effective; not producing results; ineffectual.

   ineffective efforts; ineffective remedies.

2. inefficient or incompetent; incapable.

   an ineffective manager.

3. lacking in artistic effect, as a literary work, theatrical production, or painting.

ineffective

/ ˌɪnɪˈfɛktɪv /

adjective

1. having no effect

2. incompetent or inefficient

Other Word Forms

• ineffectively adverb
• ineffectiveness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ineffective¹

First recorded in 1645–55; in- ³ + effective

Example Sentences

"I would pay money for an AI tool that helps me cut through that noise," said Spinelli, who finds the streaming giants ineffective at connecting niche content with its target audience.

Read more on Barron's

Churchill disagreed—believing such schemes were futile and ineffective—as did many across the political spectrum.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The 70-page report found that firefighters were hampered by poor communication, inexperienced leadership, a lack of resources and an ineffective process for recalling them back to work.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

So the ordinance is "rather meaningless or ineffective" for young people, he said.

Read more on Barron's

How do you stop a "swarm of drones" when jamming or using jets, tanks or missiles is rendered ineffective?

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• feeble 
• fruitless 
• futile 
• impotent 
• inadequate 
• incompetent 
• indecisive 
• ineffectual 
• inefficient 
• inept 
• limited 
• null 
• powerless 
• unable 
• unproductive 
• unprofitable 
• unsuccessful 
• worthless