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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
The performance goes from fiery to ineffectual as DiCaprio’s character, Bob, loses his youthful rebelliousness in a haze of pot and resignation.
—
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
In addition to addressing an unmet need and providing credit and financial services to people who aren’t served because of ineffectual infrastructure, Loo sees Tala as a business that is taking big leaps.
—Jack McCullough, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The country is mired in a prolonged crisis brought on by years of hyperinflation, political corruption, economic mismanagement and an ineffectual government.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for ineffectual
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
In addition to addressing an unmet need and providing credit and financial services to people who aren’t served because of ineffectual infrastructure, Loo sees Tala as a business that is taking big leaps.
—Jack McCullough, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The country is mired in a prolonged crisis brought on by years of hyperinflation, political corruption, economic mismanagement and an ineffectual government.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for ineffectual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ineffectual
Adjective
-
Barkan’s was one of several unsuccessful progressive campaigns Mamdani worked on before getting a job as a foreclosure prevention counselor at a nonprofit.—
Ben Adler,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
-
There have been a handful of topping bids this year, including an unsuccessful attempt by hedge fund Alden Global to beat out Hearst in its deal for the Dallas Morning News.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, over on the blanket, Hine and Lemmon begin a rather futile attempt to teach the rest of us backgammon.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Understanding each other is futile.—
Jake Coyle,
Boston Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
For years, the Heat’s offense was among the slowest and most inefficient units in the NBA.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
2 Nov. 2025
-
In an interview, Hirschhorn said export controls alone were an inefficient way to defend human rights.—
Byron Tau,
Fortune,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Pattinson plays the character’s increasingly useless husband.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
-
My French was useless—I was also considered a tourist by association.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The report also concluded that the techniques used were ineffective.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Two years later, after more legal wrangling, the Connecticut Supreme Court voted narrowly to overturn his conviction, ruling that Skakel's right to a fair trial was compromised by ineffective legal representation.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Even Bill Gates, a onetime stalwart champion of climate action, said this week that near-term emissions targets are a distraction at best and could even be counterproductive for human welfare.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
30 Oct. 2025
-
What resulted is one of the most comic, counterproductive, and clumsy episodes in the long history of British efforts to deal with Ireland.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ineffectual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ineffectual. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share