ineffective

[ in-i-fek-tiv ]

/ ˌɪn ɪˈfɛk tɪv /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR ineffective ON THESAURUS.COM

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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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

Words nearby ineffective

inedited, ineducable, ineducation, ineffable, ineffaceable, ineffective, ineffectual, inefficacious, inefficacy, inefficiency, inefficient

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for ineffectiveness

But inefficiency and ineffectiveness are not its only evils.
Red Tape Is Strangling Good Samaritans|Philip K. Howard|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Conservatives in this country will undoubtedly pile on the United Nations for its ineffectiveness.
Syrian Crisis Won’t Be Resolved With the Tactics Used in Libya|P.J. Crowley|August 4, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The American police are generally admitted to be open with special frequency to the charge of ineffectiveness and venality.
The Task of Social Hygiene|Havelock Ellis
The worst feature of the experiment was its ineffectiveness.
Jefferson and his Colleagues|Allen Johnson

In the diagram, Fig. 108, the ineffectiveness of the thrust is shown at those points.
Motors|James Slough Zerbe
Here, I think, is where much of the ineffectiveness of courses in argument is to be found.
The Making of Arguments|J. H. Gardiner
Here he became pitiful in his ineffectiveness, and Clytie had at last to admit that he would never be the elocutionist Allan was.
The Seeker|Harry Leon Wilson

British Dictionary definitions for ineffectiveness

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

ineffective

adjective

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CAN YOU ACE THIS QUIZ ABOUT “COMPLIMENT” VS. “COMPLEMENT”?

Origin of ineffective

OTHER WORDS FROM ineffective

Words nearby ineffective

Words related to ineffectiveness

Example sentences from the Web for ineffectiveness

British Dictionary definitions for ineffectiveness

adjective

Derived forms of ineffective