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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ineffectual
In Kenya, 77% of people view their government’s efforts in fighting corruption as ineffectual.
—
Richard Aidoo, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2025
The men in their lives are bumbling, terrible or just ineffectual.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025
But two factors are important to keep in mind to help explain why even trying to front-run a White House announcement would be ineffectual.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025
For a business, a high-speed connection can mean the difference between productive or ineffectual operations, customer satisfaction or abandonment, and ultimately profit or loss.
—Glenn Katz, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffectual
Richard Aidoo, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2025
The men in their lives are bumbling, terrible or just ineffectual.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025
But two factors are important to keep in mind to help explain why even trying to front-run a White House announcement would be ineffectual.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025
For a business, a high-speed connection can mean the difference between productive or ineffectual operations, customer satisfaction or abandonment, and ultimately profit or loss.
—Glenn Katz, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffectual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ineffectual
Adjective
-
Efforts to reach Suncor officials for this story were unsuccessful.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
7 June 2025
-
One game after the Oilers were unsuccessful in challenging that Bennett interfered with Stuart Skinner during the game’s first goal, Bennett toppled over Skinner after getting contact from Ekholm later in the period.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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The fight against short-term rentals, after all, can be futile.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
6 June 2025
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But without Congress actually enacting the DOGE cuts into law, history will show this entire exercise to have been largely futile.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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Yet Apple still plans to support the older, slower and inefficient Intel MacBook Pro models.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
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The company said operating out of the historic buildings in midtown has become inefficient.—
Annika Merrilees,
Sacbee.com,
7 June 2025
Adjective
-
The bad job, the relaxing sabbatical, the useless degree.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
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Through a charmingly off-kilter blend of 2D aesthetics, the film follows a protagonist who, after catching a highly contagious virus, must abandon her work as a personal assistant to a demanding boss and her duties at home with a useless husband and two needy kids.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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Surgery may be considered if nonsurgical methods are ineffective or the underlying cause indicates surgery is the most effective option.—
Sukaina Hasnie,
Verywell Health,
4 June 2025
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Not only would this produce a chaotic and likely ineffective U.S. foreign policy, but the administration could run into some serious trouble with contingency planning.—
Thomas Wright,
The Atlantic,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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Still, Marles suggested the Trump administration’s aggressive trade policies were counterproductive.—
Tara Copp,
Chicago Tribune,
31 May 2025
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At times of economic, social and planetary upheaval, best practice is counterproductive.—
Kian Bakhtiari,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ineffectual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ineffectual. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
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