inefficacious

American  

[in-ef-i-key-shuhs] / ˌɪn ɛf ɪˈkeɪ ʃəs /

adjective

1. not able to produce the desired effect; ineffective.

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inefficacious British  

/ ˌɪnɛfɪˈkæsɪtɪ, ˌɪnɛfɪˈkeɪʃəs, ɪnˈɛfɪkəsɪ /

adjective

1. failing to produce the desired effect

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Other Word Forms

• inefficaciously adverb
• inefficaciousness noun
• inefficacity noun
• inefficacy noun

Etymology

Origin of inefficacious

First recorded in 1650–60; in- ³ + efficacious

Example Sentences

Remedies for the starling plague were suggested, some facetious, some earnest, all equally inefficacious.

From Time Magazine Archive

Most nostrums hit at only one of the causes and so are frequently inefficacious.

From Time Magazine Archive

I therefore once more directed squill, with decoction of seneka and sal sodæ; but it was inefficacious.

From An Account of the Foxglove and some of its Medical Uses With Practical Remarks on Dropsy and Other Diseases by Withering, William

As far as producing the effect contemplated was concerned, the law was altogether inefficacious.

From The Rise of Canada, from Barbarism to Wealth and Civilisation Volume 1 by Roger, Charles

A few Spotswoods, scattered here and there in the seats of the mighty of our modern America, might not prove inefficacious.

From Legends of Loudoun An account of the history and homes of a border county of Virginia's Northern Neck by Williams, Harrison