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 portrayed Bass as a weak and ineffective leader, pointing to her handling of the Palisades fire, the homelessness crisis and the city’s ongoing struggle to deliver basic services. — Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026

Hays served on the pre-platform committee at the 1952 Democratic National Convention and the platform committee in 1956, co-authoring weak and ineffective civil rights planks. — Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2026

When asked about cornerback L’Jarius Sneed’s rough outing, Spagnuolo referenced a bad week of practice and an ineffective initial plan for doubling Smith-Njigba. — Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2026

In fact, much of medical practice was wrong or ineffective before the late 19th century, and plenty remained so afterward. — Jim Downs, STAT, 30 Oct. 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