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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example 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
-
Funding Nearly Halted Worldwide: State Department Putin Faces 'Really Big Problems' in Russian Economy: Report The U.S. has been sued in the past over the policy, though the lawsuits have been unsuccessful.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
26 Jan. 2025
-
Early attempts that fell short reveal that most cellular love affairs are unsuccessful.—
Molly Herring,
WIRED,
26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Multifactor authentication and other validation checks will become increasingly futile.—
Michael DeCesare,
Forbes,
13 Jan. 2025
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That drive went 74 yards in seven plays and was the answer the Buccaneers desperately needed after a mostly futile first half on offense.—
NBC News,
NBC News,
13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The isolation is deepened, some federal employees said, by the fact that most of their fellow Americans see the federal government as bloated and inefficient.—
Erica L. Green,
New York Times,
25 Jan. 2025
-
Musk also posted his views on the Artemis architecture, stating it to be extremely inefficient.—
Andrew Jones,
Space.com,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
If that happens, the app will become instantly useless.—
Sabrina Moreno,
Axios,
17 Jan. 2025
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Without updates, the TikTok app will eventually be rendered useless for creators.—
Veronica Ramirez,
Forbes,
11 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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Buddy Hield, who went 1-for-3 at the foul line, was particularly ineffective in that key stretch.—
Danny Emerman,
The Mercury News,
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
-
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 1 Feb. 2025.
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