INEFFECTUAL Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

ineffectual

adjective

ˌi-nə-ˈfek-chə(-wə)l

Definition of ineffectual

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in futile

producing no results another ineffectual plan to lose weight without dieting or exercising

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of ineffectual In Australia, a similar ban has proven almost totally ineffectual. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 20 June 2026 The cops of wherever this is are ineffectual. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026 Twentieth-century historians tended to paint the senator as an ineffectual hothead, but Tameez maintains that Sumner’s in-your-face style helped shock a complacent nation into action. — Rob Wolfe, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026 The current environment of Democrat versus Republican, us versus them, renders the entire body ineffectual and incapable of independent agency and thought. — Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for ineffectual

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ineffectual

Adjective

As the unsuccessful regime-change effort in Iran demonstrated, there are no shortcuts to besting the axis countries, together or individually.

— Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026
Von Dohlen, a financial adviser and conservative activist who has run three unsuccessful campaigns for City Council, was unopposed in the Republican primary.

— Katie Bartlett, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of unsuccessful

Adjective

Adelaide’s music had become an argument, however futile, with finality.

— Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2026
Before the court fight was launched, Edwin Benn, the arbitrator who oversaw 2023 contract negotiations between the city and FOP, warned the City Council that any attempt to undermine his award to the union would be futile.

— Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of futile

Adjective

By any objective standard, that technology was outdated, labor-intensive, imprecise, and inefficient.

— Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
In February, the IMF separately warned that Beijing’s state subsidies were producing inefficient firms, with total subsidies amounting to some 4% of GDP.

— Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of inefficient

Adjective

Third-string quarterback Brock Thomas started the game for the Ducks but was largely ineffective, going 9 of 20 for 54 yards and an interception.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
In the debate Thursday night, Sullivan highlighted his record defending Alaska's energy and military interests in the state and attacked Peltola as ineffective during her time in office.

— Matthew Choi The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of ineffective

Adjective

But their fervor ironically winds up being counterproductive, yielding a jumbled tonal mess that feels deadly serious one moment and like parody the next.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
The lesson is not to abandon the region but to rethink an approach that has become both too costly and counterproductive.

— Philip H. Gordon, Foreign Affairs, 12 Oct. 2026