ineffectual
adjective
in·ef·fec·tu·al
ˌi-nə-ˈfek-chə(-wə)l 
-ˈfeksh-wəl
1
: not producing the proper or intended effect : futile
ineffectualness
noun
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
Most enterprises are still relying on fragmented and ineffectual security architectures.
—
Eyal Benishti, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
However, the policy, which has not been widely adopted, has also been criticized as being prone to abuse by employees and ineffectual, given that workers are still pressured to take as little time off as possible.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
Even if a person brushes their teeth with fluoridated toothpaste and regularly goes to the dentist, drinking fluoridated tap water still offers a protective bonus, Tomar explains, counter to Utah Governor Spencer Cox’s claim that fluoridation is ineffectual.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2025
Simply declaring long-term goals without follow-up and enforcement is ineffectual and undermines Europe’s geostrategic credibility.
—Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffectual
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Eyal Benishti, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
However, the policy, which has not been widely adopted, has also been criticized as being prone to abuse by employees and ineffectual, given that workers are still pressured to take as little time off as possible.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
Even if a person brushes their teeth with fluoridated toothpaste and regularly goes to the dentist, drinking fluoridated tap water still offers a protective bonus, Tomar explains, counter to Utah Governor Spencer Cox’s claim that fluoridation is ineffectual.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2025
Simply declaring long-term goals without follow-up and enforcement is ineffectual and undermines Europe’s geostrategic credibility.
—Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffectual
Cite this Entry
“Ineffectual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ineffectual. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
ineffectualness
noun
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