ineffective

adjective

in·​ef·​fec·​tive ˌi-nə-ˈfek-tiv 

1

: not producing an intended effect : ineffectual

ineffective lighting

an ineffective treatment

2

: not capable of performing efficiently or as expected : incapable

an ineffective executive

ineffectively adverb

ineffectiveness noun

Synonyms of ineffective

• unsuccessful
• inefficient
• counterproductive

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

Raman has described the city’s use of hotel and motel rooms for temporary housing as expensive and ineffective, saying short-term rental vouchers are a better alternative. — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026

Fast delivery but slow acknowledgment may point to alert noise, alert fatigue or ineffective notification methods. — Judit Sharon, Forbes.com, 5 Nov. 2026

What readers are saying The comments reflect a strong opposition to the death penalty, criticizing it as barbaric and ineffective in deterring crime. — Katie Mettler, Washington Post, 5 Nov. 2026

Raman called Bass’ efforts to reduce homelessness ineffective. — Michael R. Blood, Chicago Tribune, 5 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ineffective

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

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