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
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2
as in futile
producing no results
another ineffectual plan to lose weight without dieting or exercising
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Recent Examples of ineffectual
The power struggle swirls around the saintly, ineffectual King Henry until gradually the dynamic York, who has pretended to support Margaret while secretly hatching his own plot, emerges as the chief contender for the throne.
—
Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
Others get more personal, as when Anushka (Meaghan Rath), the ineffectual chief ethicist at a Google-like giant, and her oddball inventor husband, Martin (Simon Helberg), butt heads over her skepticism of his work.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026
However, those clauses have proved largely ineffectual, according to Conklin.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 25 Mar. 2026
An evil global cabal, an ineffectual justice system, the exercise of unchecked power by untrustworthy experts—these are familiar themes.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ineffectual
Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
Others get more personal, as when Anushka (Meaghan Rath), the ineffectual chief ethicist at a Google-like giant, and her oddball inventor husband, Martin (Simon Helberg), butt heads over her skepticism of his work.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026
However, those clauses have proved largely ineffectual, according to Conklin.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 25 Mar. 2026
An evil global cabal, an ineffectual justice system, the exercise of unchecked power by untrustworthy experts—these are familiar themes.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ineffectual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ineffectual
Adjective
-
There were certainly many unsuccessful fits and starts.—
Katie Kelly Bell,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
Pearson said multiple attempts by Fish and Game to trap the bear were unsuccessful.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
Fahd, cradling his bloodied baby, pressing his hand to Sam’s head in a futile attempt to staunch the bleeding.—
Jeremy Diamond,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
-
The suit recounts the rapid deterioration — and futile attempts to salvage — what for a long time had been a mutually beneficial professional and artistic partnership.—
Mary Carole McCauley,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
Looking back a half-decade from now, today’s AI systems will seem laughably resource-intensive and inefficient.—
Rob Toews,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2026
-
This process was time-consuming, inefficient, and vulnerable to human judgment.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
21 June 2026
Adjective
-
Using that quartet in what is essentially a useless game would be playing with fire.—
Michael Lewis,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
-
Maps had become useless; streets and landmarks washed away or hidden.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
Adjective
-
Conventional interventions have been largely ineffective, suggesting a rate increase may be the strongest tool left for policymakers to stabilize the won.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
-
While some viral health trends are harmless—or simply ineffective—others can put your health at serious risk.—
Stephanie Brown,
Verywell Health,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
The idea of ever getting comfortable or confident is almost counterproductive.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
12 June 2026
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Doing so while having to perform in games where the results are all that matter can be confounding and even counterproductive.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ineffectual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ineffectual. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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