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
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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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of ineffectual
But the most sinister aspect of the movie, to me, is how banal its serial rapists are—how corny and ineffectual, these cringeworthy failsons.
—
Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2024
Allen had just taken over as chairman of the AOU’s Committee on Bird Protection—which had been completely ineffectual before then.
—Tim Gallagher, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024
Clearly Valya and Tula never counted on such a figure — nor on Empress Natalya to so forcibly press for his use as a weapon on behalf of her ineffectual husband, Emperor Javicco Corrino.
—Sean T. Collins, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024
Pascal’s character turns out to be a decent man plotting to unseat the cruel, ineffectual emperors, complicating our sympathies in a potentially interesting way.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ineffectual 
Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2024
Allen had just taken over as chairman of the AOU’s Committee on Bird Protection—which had been completely ineffectual before then.
—Tim Gallagher, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024
Clearly Valya and Tula never counted on such a figure — nor on Empress Natalya to so forcibly press for his use as a weapon on behalf of her ineffectual husband, Emperor Javicco Corrino.
—Sean T. Collins, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024
Pascal’s character turns out to be a decent man plotting to unseat the cruel, ineffectual emperors, complicating our sympathies in a potentially interesting way.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ineffectual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ineffectual
Adjective
-
Trump attempted one last time to get a judge to block the report but was unsuccessful, NPR's Carrie Johnson tells Up First.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
14 Jan. 2025
-
An attempt was made to cut a lock to uniform storage, however was unsuccessful.—
City News Service,
Orange County Register,
12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
In my experience, even attempting to get a price estimate beforehand is often futile.—
Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell,
Newsweek,
15 Jan. 2025
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Unnecessary pesticides are costly and often futile, and hey may kill beneficial insects and plants.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Currently there are far too many neighborhoods lacking access to public transportation altogether, and what does exist is often inefficient.—
Selvena Brooks-Powers,
New York Daily News,
17 Jan. 2025
-
Bub Carrington continues to run the show in Washington but has been inefficient.—
Sam Vecenie,
The Athletic,
14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Without that essential training to help surmount powerful systemic barriers, the kit would have been useless—and in that sense, the job is still woefully unfinished.—
Sheila McClear,
The Atlantic,
16 Jan. 2025
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Esoteric knowledge of the parks, essentially useless anywhere else, is suddenly incredibly useful.—
Darryn King,
Forbes,
13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Furthermore, the film hinges on the passionate, lustful romance between Fiennes and Mol, a fire that supposedly burns for over 14 years, but the palpable lack of chemistry between the two leads renders the love story completely ineffective.—
Vikram Murthi,
Vulture,
21 Jan. 2025
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Its origins date back to early practices where warriors demonstrated peaceful intentions by rendering their weapons ineffective.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
While the intent may be to ensure quality, consistency or adherence to procedures, the effects can be counterproductive.—
Vikram Joshi,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
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But dismantling current restrictions would be counterproductive.—
Colin H. Kahl,
Foreign Affairs,
17 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near ineffectual
Cite this Entry
“Ineffectual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ineffectual. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.
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