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

Instead, Stefanik quickly told the Wall Street Journal that Johnson is an ineffective leader losing control of the House who would not win the speakership again if a vote was held this week. —Chris Brennan, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025

In 2022, Brown won an effort to overturn his conviction, citing ineffective assistance of counsel. —Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 1 Dec. 2025

Markarova attracts mixed opinions, viewed by some as humble and competent and by others as ineffective in her handling of her tenure in Washington. —Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025

If your manager is ineffective at giving feedback and doesn’t recognize your efforts, consider documenting your performance anyway. —Vicki Salemi, Boston Herald, 30 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ineffective

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

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