ineffectual
adjective
in·ef·fec·tu·al
ˌi-nə-ˈfek-chə(-wə)l 
-ˈfeksh-wəl
1
: not producing the proper or intended effect : futile
an ineffectual struggle
2
: ineffective sense 2
an ineffectual politician
ineffectualness
noun
Examples of ineffectual in a Sentence
an ineffectual effort to find the trail again did at least lead them to another stunning view of the canyon
another ineffectual plan to lose weight without dieting or exercising
Recent Examples on the Web
Their lack of insight into their adversaries’ intelligence capability makes these militiamen demonstrably ineffectual at halting intelligence breaches.
—
Elizabeth Tsurkov, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2026
In 2022, after a period of relative quiet, the M23 began clashing with the Congolese Army, a corrupt and largely ineffectual force.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Progressives, both those in the House and those running to join Schumer in the upper chamber, did not hesitate to lay blame at the feet of the New York senator, arguing his ineffectual leadership led eight Democrats to cut a deal with Republican leaders to reopen the government in the coming days.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 11 Nov. 2025
There is a father in Breaking Away, a flustered, ineffectual father who sells used cars for a living.
—Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffectual
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Elizabeth Tsurkov, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2026
In 2022, after a period of relative quiet, the M23 began clashing with the Congolese Army, a corrupt and largely ineffectual force.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Progressives, both those in the House and those running to join Schumer in the upper chamber, did not hesitate to lay blame at the feet of the New York senator, arguing his ineffectual leadership led eight Democrats to cut a deal with Republican leaders to reopen the government in the coming days.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 11 Nov. 2025
There is a father in Breaking Away, a flustered, ineffectual father who sells used cars for a living.
—Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffectual
Cite this Entry
“Ineffectual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ineffectual. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ineffectual
adjective
in·ef·fec·tu·al
ˌin-ə-ˈfek-chə(-wə)l
-ˈfeksh-wəl
1
: not producing the proper or usual effect
an ineffectual attempt
ineffectualness
noun
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