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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ineffectual
In 2022, after a period of relative quiet, the M23 began clashing with the Congolese Army, a corrupt and largely ineffectual force.
—
Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Progressives, both those in the House and those running to join Schumer in the upper chamber, did not hesitate to lay blame at the feet of the New York senator, arguing his ineffectual leadership led eight Democrats to cut a deal with Republican leaders to reopen the government in the coming days.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 11 Nov. 2025
The spruces huddled defensively, as if expecting hard times, and the birch and aspen waved white, ineffectual arms at the snapping November wind.
—Joel M. Vance, Outdoor Life, 29 Oct. 2025
Movies like Eddington and The Mastermind also render their white male protagonists as ill-prepared and ineffectual numbskulls incapable of confronting their era’s racial and social politics.
—Robert Daniels, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffectual
Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Progressives, both those in the House and those running to join Schumer in the upper chamber, did not hesitate to lay blame at the feet of the New York senator, arguing his ineffectual leadership led eight Democrats to cut a deal with Republican leaders to reopen the government in the coming days.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 11 Nov. 2025
The spruces huddled defensively, as if expecting hard times, and the birch and aspen waved white, ineffectual arms at the snapping November wind.
—Joel M. Vance, Outdoor Life, 29 Oct. 2025
Movies like Eddington and The Mastermind also render their white male protagonists as ill-prepared and ineffectual numbskulls incapable of confronting their era’s racial and social politics.
—Robert Daniels, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffectual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ineffectual
Adjective
-
These therapies are not universally successful, of course, but can often save lives and defeat cancers where other methods are unsuccessful.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Symptoms include cravings, unsuccessful quit attempts, tolerance and withdrawal.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The metallic sheets cannot stop the damage Echard seeks to impose on her canvases, much like those tinfoil hats that some use in confused, futile efforts to shield themselves from pernicious invisible forces.—
Theo Belci,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
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But other professors, perhaps concluding that resistance is futile, are adjusting to the media their students grew up on.—
Rose Horowitch,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Adebayo added 21 points, but on inefficient shooting.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Shopping, long fragmented and inefficient, was overdue for compression.—
Nicole Casperson,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Homeowners and residents are baffled by the attacks upon their beautiful — but otherwise seemingly useless — plants.—
Tribune News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
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My deep cynicism thinks this was a diabolical plan to herd young people toward expensive, and somewhat useless, college degrees.—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Without this step, emotional conversations become emotionally expensive and structurally ineffective.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Since mothballs are proven to be ineffective (and harmful), here are some safer alternatives to consider.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Instead of forcing an interpretation upon her audience, de Araújo trusts us to make sense of her characters’ contradictory, if not downright counterproductive mindsets.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2026
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Pushing back against any suggestion of intentional wrongdoing, Joiner proffered that the drug would be competitively counterproductive.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ineffectual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ineffectual. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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