1
as in unsuccessful
not producing the desired result
an ineffectual effort to find the trail again did at least lead them to another stunning view of the canyon
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in futile
producing no results
another ineffectual plan to lose weight without dieting or exercising
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ineffectual
The lawyer, Martin Roth, cited his client's ineffectual defense, his mental health and his age.
—
Greg Allen, NPR, 4 Feb. 2026
The country is mired in a prolonged crisis brought on by years of hyperinflation, political corruption, economic mismanagement and an ineffectual government.
—Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026
The country is mired in a prolonged crisis brought on by years of hyperinflation, political corruption, economic mismanagement and an ineffectual government.
—CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
One of those two justices focused on how it was underused, rendering it ineffectual for deterring others from committing crimes.
—Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ineffectual
Greg Allen, NPR, 4 Feb. 2026
The country is mired in a prolonged crisis brought on by years of hyperinflation, political corruption, economic mismanagement and an ineffectual government.
—Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026
The country is mired in a prolonged crisis brought on by years of hyperinflation, political corruption, economic mismanagement and an ineffectual government.
—CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
One of those two justices focused on how it was underused, rendering it ineffectual for deterring others from committing crimes.
—Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ineffectual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ineffectual
Adjective
-
Life-saving measures were unsuccessful.—
Forum News Service,
Twin Cities,
9 Apr. 2026
-
During the most recent campaign and in a previous unsuccessful run for mayor, Laesch claimed Irvin prioritized government contracts or incentives to those who donated to his campaign, which Irvin consistently denied.—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Tackling plant problems at the wrong time in a plant’s or insect’s life cycle can be futile and environmentally harmful.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Ultimately, the Yanks would spend 2 hours and 45 minutes on the court, meaning 2023 champion Tiafoe, who had prevailed in two previous marathons, wound up whacking balls for eight-plus hours in his ultimately futile bid for reach a fourth consecutive final here.—
Dale Robertson,
Houston Chronicle,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In addition, since many pre-flight tasks involve phone and computer touchscreens and the use of bare hands, a crew member who has to constantly put on and take off gloves would probably find the process both annoying and inefficient.—
Joey Skladany,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Go much faster, and the drag can make a sedan as inefficient as an SUV.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Instead of being an anchoring penultimate episode, the entire display felt useless and confusing, as if the audience was suddenly watching an entirely different television program.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
9 Apr. 2026
-
In my tests, the feature was almost completely useless.—
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Trump responded sharply the following day, criticizing the pope's leadership and accusing him of being weak on crime and ineffective on foreign policy.—
Emmanuel Akinwotu,
NPR,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Other management methods, such as traps, have so far been ineffective.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
When both Chicago and Illinois have significantly lagged the nation as a whole in terms of economic growth, there are few tax ideas more counterproductive than penalizing big companies for employing people within a city’s boundaries.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
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Still, as California real estate broker Doug Shepherd previously shared with BHG, sometimes waiting too long for the market to improve—with lower rates and more affordable pricing—can be counterproductive.—
Joseph Erbentraut,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ineffectual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ineffectual. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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