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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ineffectual
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
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
See All Example Sentences for 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
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
See All Example Sentences for ineffectual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ineffectual
Adjective
-
The robber was unsuccessful in his attempt to take cash from the register and fled the scene.—
Deanese Williams-Harris,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2025
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Kramer, a get-out-the-vote specialist, worked on ballot access for the campaign of former Democratic presidential hopeful Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota and also worked on Kanye West’s unsuccessful 2020 presidential campaign.—
Michael Dorgan,
Fox News,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Any reconstruction effort would be futile if a fragile ceasefire in Gaza fails, plunging the territory back to war.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN,
21 Feb. 2025
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Since kids learn by example, Winston notes that telling kids to put down their phones is futile if parents don’t do the same.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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But without centralized tools, buying ads and optimizing ad spend was inefficient.—
StockStory Team,
CNBC,
22 Feb. 2025
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But fires were inefficient, firewood was frequently stolen, and homes were easily burned down.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harper's Magazine,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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In the Milky Way’s galactic magnetic field, the force is so weak that a standard compass would be virtually useless.—
Jake Parks,
Discover Magazine,
21 Feb. 2025
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Several pharmacists in São Paulo repeatedly stressed that just a few hours at room temperature renders the medications useless.—
Flávia Milhorance,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Some were ineffective, such as unconscious bias training.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA TODAY,
28 Feb. 2025
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The higher the number (3 being the maximum and X being ineffective), the more effective that status ailment will be.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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In fact, several examples indicate that using generative AI professionally may, in some cases, be counterproductive, or banned, in real work environments.—
Derek Newton,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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Advocates, meanwhile, have assailed the measure as cruel and counterproductive.—
Ethan Varian,
The Mercury News,
13 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ineffectual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ineffectual. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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