ineffective
adjective/ˌɪnɪˈfektɪv/
/ˌɪnɪˈfektɪv/
- not achieving what you want to achieve; not having any effect
- The new drug was ineffective.
- ineffective management
- ineffective in doing something The law proved ineffective in dealing with the problem.
Extra ExamplesTopics Change, cause and effectc1, Difficulty and failurec1- These policies have proved ineffective.
- These weapons are totally ineffective against tanks.
- chemicals that are very ineffective in killing weeds
- High interest rates proved to be ineffective in reducing inflation.
- It has been criticized as an unfair and ineffective system.
- She was offered psychotherapy, but this proved ineffective.
- The evidence demonstrates that punishment is ineffective as a deterrent.
- The exemption clause in the contract is rendered ineffective by the new law.
- The government continued with its much-publicized but largely ineffective policy of economic sanctions.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- prove
- seem
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- against
- in
Word Originmid 17th cent.: from in- + effective.Want to learn more?
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ineffective