Definition of ineffective Ineffective

/ɪnɪfɛˈktɪv/ - [inifektiv] - in•ef•fec•tive

We found 7 definitions of ineffective from 4 different sources.

What does ineffective mean?

WordNet

Adjective
ineffective - not producing an intended effect; "an ineffective teacher"; "ineffective legislation"
		uneffective, ineffectual
		effectual, efficacious, effective marked by qualities giving the power to produce an intended effect; "written propaganda is less efficacious than the habits and prejudices...of the readers"-Aldous Huxley; "the medicine is efficacious in stopping a cough"
		idle not in active use; "the machinery sat idle during the strike"; "idle hands"
		inefficacious lacking the power to produce a desired effect; "laws that are inefficacious in stopping crime"
		inefficient not producing desired results; wasteful; "an inefficient campaign against drugs"; "outdated and inefficient design and methods"
		powerless lacking power
		useless having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully; "a kitchen full of useless gadgets"; "she is useless in an emergency"
		effectivity, effectuality, effectualness, effectiveness power to be effective; the quality of being able to bring about an effect
		toothless lacking necessary force for effectiveness; "a toothless piece of legislation"
ineffective - lacking in power or forcefulness; "an ineffectual ruler"; "like an unable phoenix in hot ashes"
		ineffectual, unable
		impotent lacking power or ability; "Technology without morality is barbarous; morality without technology is impotent"- Freeman J.Dyson; "felt impotent rage"
ineffective - lacking the ability or skill to perform effectively; inadequate; "an ineffective administration"; "inefficient workers"
		inefficient
		incompetent not qualified or suited for a purpose; "an incompetent secret service"; "the filming was hopeless incompetent"

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Wiktionary

ineffective (Adjective)
Not having the desired effect; ineffectual.
ineffective (Adjective)
Lacking in ability; incompetent or inadequate.

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

ineffective (a.)
Not effective; ineffectual; futile; inefficient; useless; as, an ineffective appeal.

Chambers DictionaryChamber's 20th Century Dictionary 📕

ineffective
in-ef-fek′tiv, adj. not effective: useless.—adv. Ineffec′tively.—adj. Ineffec′tual, fruitless.—ns. Ineffectual′ity, Ineffec′tualness.—adv. Ineffec′tually.—adj. Inefficā′cious, not having power to produce an effect.—adv. Inefficā′ciously.—n. Inef′ficacy, want of efficacy.—n. Ineffic′iency.—adj. Ineffic′ient, effecting, or capable of effecting, nothing.—adv. Ineffic′iently