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ineffective

[ in-i-fek-tiv ]
/ ˌɪn ɪˈfɛk tɪv /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR ineffective

adjective

not effective; not producing results; ineffectual: ineffective efforts; ineffective remedies.
inefficient or incompetent; incapable: an ineffective manager.
lacking in artistic effect, as a literary work, theatrical production, or painting.

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To cook in water that begins cold and then reaches a boil.
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Origin of ineffective

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

OTHER WORDS FROM ineffective

in·ef·fec·tive·ly, adverbin·ef·fec·tive·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to ineffective

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

Example sentences from the Web for ineffective

British Dictionary definitions for ineffective

ineffective
/ (ˌɪnɪˈfɛktɪv) /

adjective

having no effect
incompetent or inefficient

Derived forms of ineffective

ineffectively, adverbineffectiveness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012