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

Ayton’s backup Jaxson Hayes was also neutralized in Saturday’s blowout, not returning to the game after just eight minutes and 30 seconds of mostly ineffective play. —Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026

Burris was still inside, but the attempts to carve a greater entry point were largely ineffective. —Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2026

The 36-year-old pitcher was ineffective from the start at Kauffman Stadium. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2026

Johnson’s latest Springfield visit comes as his office’s lobbying efforts under the dome have been criticized by even legislative Democrats as ineffective. —Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 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