feckless
/ˈfɛkləs/
Group 16Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Lacking initiative or strength of character; irresponsible GRE
Example in Context
The editorial lambasted the feckless leadership that had allowed a manageable crisis to spiral into a catastrophe through sheer inaction.
Synonyms
uselessirresponsibleincompetent
Etymology
Literally means 'without effect', indicating irresponsibility or lack of initiative.
- feck (Scottish) — effect
- less (Old English) — without
Memory Aid
💤Sounds like “feck-less”
Imagine a lazy cat saying 'I’m FECK-LESS today — I’ll just sleep and let the world go by!' as it snoozes all day!
Visual Association
😴A cat lounging on a sunlit windowsill, completely indifferent to everything happening around it.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “feckless” mean on the GRE?
feckless (adjective) means “Lacking initiative or strength of character; irresponsible”. The editorial lambasted the feckless leadership that had allowed a manageable crisis to spiral into a catastrophe through sheer inaction.
How to remember “feckless” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “feckless” sounds like “feck-less”. Imagine a lazy cat saying 'I’m FECK-LESS today — I’ll just sleep and let the world go by!' as it snoozes all day!
What are synonyms for “feckless”?
Common synonyms: useless, irresponsible, incompetent.