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

But these types of cases, especially ones where the petitioner claims ineffective assistance of counsel, are hard to win, two defense attorneys told the Statesman. — Alex Brizee july 30, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2026

The outlet reported that the petition claims Shirilla had ineffective counsel, which resulted in insufficient evidence being presented to establish probable cause and improper admission of evidence at trial. — Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 30 July 2026

First, productivity suffers significantly from ineffective meetings, forcing employees to work overtime. — Shani Harmon, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Kohberger can say either that his attorneys were ineffective in representing him or that his plea was coerced in some way, and usually something should be filed within a year, CNN legal analyst Joey Jackson said. — Emily Smith, CNN Money, 28 July 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