ineffective
Failing to work
Ineffective means not producing the intended result.
An ineffective treatment fails to cure.
An ineffective leader can't get things done.
The word suggests inadequacy rather than complete failure—something may work a little but not enough to matter.
The new policy proved ineffective at reducing crime.
Incapable of producing results
- vainExcessively proud or futile
- pointlessLacking any purpose
- uselessWithout practical value
- unavailingProducing no result
bootless · abortive · unproductive · unprofitable · unrewarding · nugatory · otiose · idle
Failing to convince
- weakLacking power or force
- lameWeak or limping
- flimsyWeak and easily damaged
- feebleWeak and ineffective
hollow · thin · implausible · uncompelling · toothless · wishy-washy · half-hearted · limp
Lacking power or efficacy
- helplessUnable to act independently
- toothlessHaving no teeth
- weakLacking power or force
- feebleWeak and ineffective
incapable · unable · inoperative · nonfunctional · paralyzed · hamstrung · emasculated · neutered
Lacking skill or competence
- unskilledLacking acquired competence
- bunglingMishandling through incompetence
- clumsyLacking physical coordination
- amateurishLacking professional skill
maladroit · unqualified · fumbling · ham-fisted · bumbling · incapable · hapless · blundering
Using resources carelessly
- uneconomicalNot worth the cost
- counterproductiveHindering intended outcome
- disorganizedLacking systematic arrangement
- unsystematicLacking methodical arrangement
impractical · misguided · squandering · haphazard · slapdash · unproductive · time-wasting
Having too little
- insufficientBelow required quantity
- lackingBeing without something
- subparBelow acceptable quality
- unsatisfactoryNot good enough
inferior · mediocre · poor · unfit · incomplete · wanting · failing · flawed
futile
Incapable of producing results
unavailing · bootless · abortive · unproductive · unprofitable · unrewarding · nugatory · otiose · idle · empty
unpersuasive
Failing to convince
feeble · hollow · thin · implausible · uncompelling · toothless · wishy-washy · half-hearted · limp · lackluster
impotent
Lacking power or efficacy
feeble · incapable · unable · inoperative · nonfunctional · paralyzed · hamstrung · emasculated · neutered · defanged
inept
Lacking skill or competence
- unskilledLacking acquired competence
- bunglingMishandling through incompetence
- clumsyLacking physical coordination
amateurish · maladroit · unqualified · fumbling · ham-fisted · bumbling · incapable · hapless · blundering · feckless
wasteful
Using resources carelessly
- uneconomicalNot worth the cost
- counterproductiveHindering intended outcome
- disorganizedLacking systematic arrangement
unsystematic · impractical · misguided · squandering · haphazard · slapdash · unproductive · time-wasting
deficient
Having too little
- insufficientBelow required quantity
- lackingBeing without something
- subparBelow acceptable quality
unsatisfactory · inferior · mediocre · poor · unfit · incomplete · wanting · failing · flawed · faulty
- futilefutile, useless, pointless, fruitless, vain
- statusespending, active, approved, inactive, completed
- weakweak, feeble, frail, fragile, faint
- shortcomingsdeficient, inadequate, lacking, inferior, subpar
- inefficiencyinefficient, wasteful, unproductive, suboptimal, waste
- status effectsdebuffed, poison, hexed, burn, cursed
ineffectiveeffective
Producing intended results
efficacious · effectual · successful · functional · workable