EN

Synonyms for inefficacious

  • adjective

Most common

ineffective inefficient futile ineffectual fruitless inoperative unavailing nugatory

All synonyms

Adjective

ineffective, ineffectual, weak, vain, inefficient, futile, fruitless, inoperative, unavailing, nugatory, unsuccessful, sterile, barren, abortive, bootless, otiose

Antonyms

efficacious

All antonyms of inefficacious →

Definitions

  1. adj. 1

    Incapable of having the intended consequence.

Related words

Word family
inefficaciously inefficaciousness

Example sentences

  • ineffective Washing your hands without soap is ineffective work.
  • inefficient Algeria's agricultural sector has become inefficient.
  • futile When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
  • ineffectual My efforts seemed ineffectual.
  • fruitless After three fruitless attempts, he tried one last time.

Popularity over time

Word1850 → 2019Trend
inefficacioussteady
ineffectivesteady
inefficientsteady
futilesteady
ineffectualsteady
fruitlesssteady

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

4 letters
weak1, vain1
6 letters
futile2, barren2, otiose3
7 letters
sterile2
8 letters
abortive3, bootless, nugatory4
9 letters
fruitless2
10 letters
unavailing4
11 letters
ineffective4, inefficient4, ineffectual5, inoperative5
12 letters
unsuccessful4

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (futile2 = 2 syllables).