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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in futile
producing no results
another ineffectual plan to lose weight without dieting or exercising
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of ineffectual
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
Without the backing and the power of the United States, by then the richest country in the world, the League of Nations became an ineffectual shell of what it was meant to be.
—Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2025
The students’ stunning reaction shortly after the shooting, refusing to succumb to their grief and calling out ineffectual politicians, captured the nation while also drawing backlash from the far-right.
—Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
The Palestinian Authority is corrupt, ineffectual and undemocratic; Hamas in Gaza has run a satanical mafia state, half theocracy and half kleptocracy, indoctrinating the youth for barbarism while crushing the spirit of the adults.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffectual
Glenn Katz, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Without the backing and the power of the United States, by then the richest country in the world, the League of Nations became an ineffectual shell of what it was meant to be.
—Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2025
The students’ stunning reaction shortly after the shooting, refusing to succumb to their grief and calling out ineffectual politicians, captured the nation while also drawing backlash from the far-right.
—Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
The Palestinian Authority is corrupt, ineffectual and undemocratic; Hamas in Gaza has run a satanical mafia state, half theocracy and half kleptocracy, indoctrinating the youth for barbarism while crushing the spirit of the adults.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffectual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ineffectual
Adjective
-
But the Supreme Court denied the court order and requests to President Donald Trump from family, supporters and her attorney were unsuccessful.—
Nicole Acosta,
People.com,
19 Apr. 2025
-
In 1945, an attempt was made to identify the unknown remains, but the effort was unsuccessful, the DPAA said.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Impeachment of judges, however, is widely seen as a futile endeavor on Capitol Hill.—
Tara Suter,
The Hill,
3 Apr. 2025
-
The confrontation ends in an electric if futile horse chase.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The erosion of wealth due to inefficient tax structures underscores the importance of working with specialists who understand how to leverage available tools effectively.—
Ethan Stone,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2025
-
But the small farms are inefficient and help explain a national poverty rate of more than 30%, the bank points out.—
Francine Kiefer,
Christian Science Monitor,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
For most of us, our inbox goals are the same: minimize useless spam, file away messages that don’t require your attention right away, and bring urgent items to the forefront.—
Aytekin Tank,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
His devastating splitter would be useless without first establishing everything else in the strike zone.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The White House takes aim at the Biden administration and Democrats’ handling of the pandemic, arguing lockdowns were detrimental, masks were ineffective, and the 6-foot distance rule was arbitrarily made up by Fauci.—
Elaine Mallon,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Apr. 2025
-
If both avoidance and OTC medicines are ineffective, an allergist may suggest exposure therapy in the form of shots, which help people become less sensitive to their allergy triggers over time.—
Sarah Cottone,
Health,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Cleaner air is always appealing, but rushing into sweeping regulatory shifts that will have little long-term effect would be counterproductive.—
Ryan Nawrocki,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Apr. 2025
-
When Musk is in a bad mood, well, an interview is usually counterproductive.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ineffectual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ineffectual. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share