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
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
Besson takes real liberties with Stoker’s original saga too, hinting at a purposeful attempt to reframe Dracula as a sly romantic hero that winds up looking like just another ineffectual vampire movie instead.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 6 Feb. 2026
The lawyer, Martin Roth, cited his client's ineffectual defense, his mental health and his age.
—Greg Allen, NPR, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ineffectual
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
Besson takes real liberties with Stoker’s original saga too, hinting at a purposeful attempt to reframe Dracula as a sly romantic hero that winds up looking like just another ineffectual vampire movie instead.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 6 Feb. 2026
The lawyer, Martin Roth, cited his client's ineffectual defense, his mental health and his age.
—Greg Allen, NPR, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ineffectual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ineffectual
Adjective
-
The mammal’s health deteriorated as it became repeatedly stranded in shallow waters, and unsuccessful efforts to coax it toward deeper seas were livestreamed across the globe.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The child was taken to Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Azle, where additional lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful, the sheriff's office said.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But although resistance is similarly futile, their goals are less about assimilation than worshipping the obsessive Grant's wife, Starla (Elizabeth Banks).—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
1 May 2026
-
His father was a schoolteacher and a member of the Nazi Party; Baselitz, who was seven at the cessation of World War II, would later recall the smoke rising from firebombed Dresden as his mother hurried her children through the city in a futile attempt to escape the Russians.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
America’s economy has been the envy of the world for its talent at replacing old, inefficient business models, scaling up new technologies and turning failures into comebacks.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
What moves the number The result of all these factors is that the price that drivers see at the pump mostly reflects the global price of crude, plus a stack of domestic costs, only some of which are inefficient.—
Robert I. Harris,
The Conversation,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
From certain side sections, the rear screen was nearly useless.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Technically impressive, yes—but scientifically and commercially useless.—
Magnus Resch,
ARTnews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The official scorer at Citi Field decided to give the win to Williams instead of Brazobán, deeming the latter’s outing ineffective because of the tying grand slam.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2026
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And indeed recent reports suggest that some employees are sabotaging their companies’ AI rollouts by misusing AI tools, generating poor work to make AI appear ineffective, or outright refusing to employ the technology.—
Claire Zillman,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This movement, known as critical legal studies, was associated with the political left, and its exponents, known as crits, loved to disparage liberal theorists’ devotion to the Constitution as naïve and counterproductive.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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While many components of Prop 103 have obviously been effective, some have been counterproductive and need reform.—
Steven Bradford,
Oc Register,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ineffectual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ineffectual. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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