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 businessman who has never run for office before portrayed Kansas as a state that has stagnated under the leadership of ineffectual Republicans and radical Democrats.
—
Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2025
Their country is mired in a prolonged crisis brought on by years of hyperinflation, political corruption, economic mismanagement and an ineffectual government.
—Janie Har, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
The country is mired in a prolonged crisis brought on by years of hyperinflation, political corruption, economic mismanagement and an ineffectual government.
—Dan Gooding
amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
The ineffectual nature of California’s energy policies are why advocates of California going green fall back on specious arguments, like the idea that California must continue inflicting higher energy costs on its residents to inspire other states and even the world to follow suit.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffectual
Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2025
Their country is mired in a prolonged crisis brought on by years of hyperinflation, political corruption, economic mismanagement and an ineffectual government.
—Janie Har, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
The country is mired in a prolonged crisis brought on by years of hyperinflation, political corruption, economic mismanagement and an ineffectual government.
—Dan Gooding
amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
The ineffectual nature of California’s energy policies are why advocates of California going green fall back on specious arguments, like the idea that California must continue inflicting higher energy costs on its residents to inspire other states and even the world to follow suit.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffectual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ineffectual
Adjective
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The pose Harris struck and held through her unsuccessful 2024 campaign for the White House is called the good soldier.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Oct. 2025
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Now, after years of mostly unsuccessful efforts to eliminate windows from cabins, one luxury jet maker appears to be on the verge of doing just that.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The rest of the industry wants to emulate this success, but as many editors know, chasing a trend can be a futile endeavor.—
Rebecca Ackermann,
The Atlantic,
5 Oct. 2025
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At least one company ended the workday early, figuring any attempts to get employees back on track would be futile.—
Kristen Parisi,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Prolonged drought, climate change and inefficient irrigation practices have accelerated the depletion of rivers, lakes and aquifers, while overuse in urban centers has intensified land subsidence and infrastructure strain.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Oct. 2025
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If the same flight path were imposed on travel—Kenya to New York to Germany—we’d call it inefficient design.—
Chris Maurice,
Fortune,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But having 10 power play opportunities also made the game somewhat useless.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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With her charger useless and the screen showing a dangerously low percentage, the reality sank in.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In January 2010, a five-day hearing was held in the circuit court to hear testimony about Dassey's motion, much of which focused on evidence that his confession was coerced and that his trial counsel was ineffective.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
1 Oct. 2025
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The sheer paucity of Russian resources, after three and a half years of war, may lead to a similarly ineffective response to any use of Tomahawks.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Others—such as an eagerness to engage someone in combat—work in the gym, ring, and battlefield but become counterproductive and even destructive outside of those contexts.—
Dan Brooks,
The Atlantic,
2 Oct. 2025
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Once again, the process is likely to be costly, counterproductive and completely unnecessary.—
Bloomberg Opinion,
Twin Cities,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ineffectual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ineffectual. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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