inefficacy
Lack of effect
Inefficacy is the quality of not producing the desired effect—the failure to work as intended.
A treatment shows inefficacy when it doesn't improve symptoms.
A policy demonstrates inefficacy when it fails to achieve its goals.
The inefficacy of the sanctions became apparent within months.
The word is more formal than ineffectiveness but carries the same meaning.
Incapable of producing results
- pointlessLacking any purpose
- uselessWithout practical value
- fruitlessProducing no useful outcome
- vainExcessively proud or futile
unavailing · bootless · ineffectual · unproductive · purposeless · nugatory · otiose · abortive
Lack of strength or power
- helplessnessLacking ability to cope
- weaknessDeficiency in force
- inabilityLack of capacity
- incapacityLack of ability
inadequacy · incompetence · ineptitude · ineffectiveness · feebleness · enervation · debility · toothlessness
Failure to operate properly
- dysfunctionAbnormal or unhealthy operation
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
- shortcomingA fault or weakness
- deficiencyLack of something needed
flaw · inadequacy · underperformance · misfire · dud · flop · bust · washout
futile
Incapable of producing results
vain · unavailing · bootless · ineffectual · unproductive · purposeless · nugatory · otiose · abortive · barren
impotence
Lack of strength or power
- helplessnessLacking ability to cope
- weaknessDeficiency in force
- inabilityLack of capacity
incapacity · inadequacy · incompetence · ineptitude · ineffectiveness · feebleness · enervation · debility · toothlessness · emasculation
malfunction
Failure to operate properly
- dysfunctionAbnormal or unhealthy operation
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
- shortcomingA fault or weakness
deficiency · flaw · inadequacy · underperformance · misfire · dud · flop · bust · washout · letdown
inefficacyefficacy
Ability to produce results
effectiveness · efficaciousness · potency · power · capability