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

After cementing a consecutive MVP season as a three-level scorer, playmaker, and yes, free-throw merchant, Gilgeous Alexander looked remarkably ineffective against the Spurs. —Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026

Weiss said the real worry among some researchers is not that psychedelic therapies are ineffective, but that political momentum could outpace the scientific process. —Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 31 May 2026

Congress should indeed scrutinize ineffective programs and unnecessary spending. —Sam Raus, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2026

Their efforts proved to be wholly ineffective. —Literary Hub, 27 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