Antonyms of adj effective

6 senses of effective

Sense 1
effective (vs. ineffective), effectual, efficacious -- (producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect; "an air-cooled motor was more effective than a witch's broomstick for rapid long-distance transportation"-LewisMumford; "effective teaching methods"; "effective steps toward peace"; "made an effective entrance"; "his complaint proved to be effectual in bringing action"; "an efficacious law")

ineffective (vs. effective), uneffective, ineffectual -- (not producing an intended effect; "an ineffective teacher"; "ineffective legislation")
        => toothless -- (lacking necessary force for effectiveness; "a toothless piece of legislation")
        => unproductive -- (not producing desired results; "the talks between labor and management were unproductive")

Sense 2
effective, efficient -- (able to accomplish a purpose; functioning effectively; "people who will do nothing unless they get something out of it for themselves are often highly effective persons..."-G.B.Shaw; "effective personnel"; "an efficient secretary"; "the efficient cause of the revolution")

INDIRECT (VIA competent) -> incompetent -- (not qualified or suited for a purpose; "an incompetent secret service"; "the filming was hopeless incompetent")

Sense 3
effective -- (works well as a means or remedy; "an effective reprimand"; "a lotion that is effective in cases of prickly heat")

INDIRECT (VIA efficacious) -> inefficacious -- (lacking the power to produce a desired effect; "laws that are inefficacious in stopping crime")

Sense 4
effective, good, in effect (predicate), in force (predicate) -- (exerting force or influence; "the law is effective immediately"; "a warranty good for two years"; "the law is already in effect (or in force)")

INDIRECT (VIA operative) -> inoperative -- (not working or taking effect; "an inoperative law")

Sense 5
effective -- (existing in fact; not theoretical; real; "a decline in the effective demand"; "confused increased equipment and expenditure with the quantity of effective work done")

INDIRECT (VIA actual) -> potential, possible -- (existing in possibility; "a potential problem"; "possible uses of nuclear power")

Sense 6
effective -- (ready for service; "the fort was held by about 100 effective soldiers")

INDIRECT (VIA operational) -> nonoperational, inactive -- ((military) not involved in military operations)

Similarity of adj effective

6 senses of effective

Sense 1
effective (vs. ineffective), effectual, efficacious -- (producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect; "an air-cooled motor was more effective than a witch's broomstick for rapid long-distance transportation"-LewisMumford; "effective teaching methods"; "effective steps toward peace"; "made an effective entrance"; "his complaint proved to be effectual in bringing action"; "an efficacious law")
       => hard-hitting, trenchant -- (characterized by or full of force and vigor; "a hard-hitting expose"; "a trenchant argument")
       => impelling -- (markedly effective as if by emotional pressure; "impelling skill as a teller of tales"; "an impelling personality")
       => impressive, telling -- (producing a strong effect; "gave an impressive performance as Othello"; "a telling gesture")
       => rough-and-ready -- (crude but effective for the purpose at hand)
          Also See-> efficacious#1; efficient#1; potent#3, strong#4, stiff#4; powerful#1; useful#1, utile#1

Sense 2
effective, efficient -- (able to accomplish a purpose; functioning effectively; "people who will do nothing unless they get something out of it for themselves are often highly effective persons..."-G.B.Shaw; "effective personnel"; "an efficient secretary"; "the efficient cause of the revolution")
       => competent (vs. incompetent) -- (properly or sufficiently qualified or capable or efficient; "a competent typist")

Sense 3
effective -- (works well as a means or remedy; "an effective reprimand"; "a lotion that is effective in cases of prickly heat")
       => efficacious (vs. inefficacious) -- (marked by qualities giving the power to produce an intended effect; "written propaganda is less efficacious than the habits and prejudices...of the readers"-Aldous Huxley; "the medicine is efficacious in stopping a cough")

Sense 4
effective, good, in effect (predicate), in force (predicate) -- (exerting force or influence; "the law is effective immediately"; "a warranty good for two years"; "the law is already in effect (or in force)")
       => operative (vs. inoperative) -- (being in force or having or exerting force; "operative regulations"; "the major tendencies operative in the American political system")

Sense 5
effective -- (existing in fact; not theoretical; real; "a decline in the effective demand"; "confused increased equipment and expenditure with the quantity of effective work done")
       => actual (vs. potential), existent -- (presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible; "the predicted temperature and the actual temperature were markedly different"; "actual and imagined conditions")

Sense 6
effective -- (ready for service; "the fort was held by about 100 effective soldiers")
       => operational (vs. nonoperational) -- ((military) of or intended for or involved in military operations)