ineffective

American  

[in-i-fek-tiv] / ˌɪn ɪˈfɛk tɪv /

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 British  

/ ˌɪnɪˈfɛktɪv /

adjective

1. having no effect

2. incompetent or inefficient

---

Other Word Forms

• ineffectively adverb
• ineffectiveness noun

Etymology

Origin of ineffective

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

Example Sentences

And still others poked fun at how ineffective internal investigations can be at rooting out problem officers and pervasive police shootings.

From Los Angeles Times

The White House said the decision was taken because those entities "no longer serve American interests" and promote "ineffective or hostile agendas".

From BBC

Last year, an inquest into the deaths of four people killed by drivers with failing vision said enforcement of eyesight standards on the roads was "ineffective and unsafe".

From BBC

“These refusals represent the FDA’s import program working as intended—preventing potentially unsafe, ineffective or noncompliant products from reaching American consumers,” an FDA spokesperson said.

From The Wall Street Journal

In their statement, they cited "a shortage of qualified personnel, ineffective oversight processes in flight operations and airworthiness, and non-compliance with international safety standards".

From Barron's

Related Words

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