ineffective
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
not producing the result you want or not working correctly.
failing to produce the intended or desired effect; lacking efficacy.
Simple“The old heating system was ineffective and the house stayed cold all winter.”
In context“The government's latest economic policy proved ineffective at curbing inflation, leading to widespread public dissatisfaction and calls for reform.”
UsageOften used to describe laws, policies, medicines, or mechanical systems.
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
not having the skills or power to do a job well.
lacking in ability, competence, or the necessary qualities to perform a role successfully.
Simple“The manager was ineffective because he could never make a firm decision.”
In context“The board eventually removed the CEO, citing her ineffective leadership during the merger as the primary reason for the company's declining stock value.”
Teacher's tipWhen describing people, this word is more formal and slightly more polite than calling someone 'bad' or 'useless', though it remains a serious criticism.
Synonyms
“The kidnapping, which took place in broad daylight, showed how ineffective security operations in Nigeria have been, he said.”
“That same week, a senior fellow at the New Delhi-based thinktank Observer Research Foundation argued in a column that teen social media bans are ineffective.”
From in- + effective.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.