INEFFECTUALLY Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

ineffectually

adverb

as in ineffectively

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ineffectually

Adverb

Often, altercations involving a resident with dementia erupt after danger signals are missed or ineffectively addressed, according to a KFF Health News examination of court records, police reports, and state and federal inspection reports.

— Jordan Rau, NPR, 19 July 2026
Williams was awarded the win because Brazobán pitched briefly and ineffectively and surrendered the lead while throwing less than an inning.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026

Definition of ineffectively

Adverb

Belgium’s Hans Vanaken thumped it into the goal past defender Tim Ream, who flailed lamely as Belgium scored.

— Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 7 July 2026
That seems too much to ask of the curators, who lamely paired such items as an ensemble from the fashion house Alaïa from last year with an Asante-Akan akua ’ba child figure.

— Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 4 May 2026

Definition of lamely

Adverb

Elsewhere, investors have piled into safer bets this year as uncertainly and geopolitical tensions remained high.

— Hugh Leask,Tasmin Lockwood,Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2025
My mother paused uncertainly mid-step with her hands outstretched toward Elna’s suitcases.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Dec. 2025

Definition of uncertainly

Adverb

Unlike Mamdani, whom Platner has often been lazily compared to, and who wielded social media to novel and wildly fruitful ends, Platner is not as much of a digital native, and is a far less polished poster.

— Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 15 July 2026
This 469-mile parkway lazily meanders through the Appalachian Highlands in Virginia and the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

— Josh Laskin, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026

Definition of lazily

Adverb

The show’s interests are theoretically in a nuclear family gradually coming back together, though even that theme is halfheartedly pursued.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 16 July 2026
At least four officers stood by during the assaults, while two others halfheartedly attempted to break them up.

— Jason Henry, Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026

Definition of halfheartedly

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.

Cite this Entry

Style

“Ineffectually.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ineffectually. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of ineffectually

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

vituperate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes