ineffectual

adjective

in·​ef·​fec·​tu·​al ˌi-nə-ˈfek-chə(-wə)l 

-ˈfeksh-wəl

1

: not producing the proper or intended effect : futile

2

: ineffective sense 2

ineffectuality

ˌi-nə-ˌfek-chə-ˈwa-lə-tē 

noun

ineffectually

ˌi-nə-ˈfek-chə(-wə)-lē 

-ˈfek-shwə-

adverb

ineffectualness noun

Synonyms

• counterproductive
• feckless
• hamstrung
• ineffective
• inefficacious
• inefficient
• inexpedient

Examples of ineffectual in a Sentence

an ineffectual effort to find the trail again did at least lead them to another stunning view of the canyon

another ineffectual plan to lose weight without dieting or exercising

Recent Examples on the Web

But none of this means that the court, or the quest for international justice more broadly, is ineffectual. —Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 27 Nov. 2024

The data indicates that Trump’s idiosyncratic efforts to target individual companies for presidential bullying were ineffectual. —Steven Tian, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2024

Dyer dismissed concerns that the arrests are ineffectual, saying the camping ban is just one part of the city's broader strategy to address homelessness, which includes investing in shelter and affordable housing. —Vanessa Rancaño, NPR, 28 Dec. 2024

Perón died a year later and was succeeded by his third wife, the ineffectual Isabel Perón. —Joshua Hammer, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

ineffectual

adjective

in·​ef·​fec·​tu·​al ˌin-ə-ˈfek-chə(-wə)l 

-ˈfeksh-wəl

1

: not producing the proper or usual effect

an ineffectual attempt

2

: ineffective sense 2

ineffectually

-ˈfek-chə(-wə)-lē 

-ˈfeksh-wə-

adverb

ineffectualness noun