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
There’s no one culprit but instead a collection of factors that have provided the ineffectual Congress of today.
—
Charlie Hunt, The Conversation, 15 May 2025
The first step is leaving her well-meaning but ineffectual husband (Jay Duplass) and the second is asking her best friend, Nikki (Jenny Slate), to be her primary caretaker, who agrees without hesitation.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 3 Apr. 2025
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
We’re trapped behind a screen, too, and even more ineffectual at stopping these characters from hurting themselves and each other.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffectual
Charlie Hunt, The Conversation, 15 May 2025
The first step is leaving her well-meaning but ineffectual husband (Jay Duplass) and the second is asking her best friend, Nikki (Jenny Slate), to be her primary caretaker, who agrees without hesitation.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 3 Apr. 2025
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
We’re trapped behind a screen, too, and even more ineffectual at stopping these characters from hurting themselves and each other.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffectual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ineffectual
Adjective
-
First responders also attempted to revive Riccardo, but were unsuccessful, the outlet added.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
12 July 2025
-
All attempts to resuscitate the man were unsuccessful, Park Service officials said.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Go with the flow, but not toward the beach: Trying to swim directly toward the beach when caught in a rip current is futile and exhausting.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
6 July 2025
-
This group saw military responses as futile, as Iran was assumed to have escalation dominance.—
JAMES JEFFREY,
Foreign Affairs,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
More than inefficient, manual finance operations introduce unnecessary risk.—
John Rubinetti,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
This is not hyperbole: burning oil to power a car or burning coal to produce electricity is at best slightly more than thirty per cent efficient—or seventy per cent inefficient.—
Bill McKibben,
New Yorker,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
Towns and hamlets have been largely pulverized along the front lines and for miles beyond; even American air defenses are mostly useless, because setting them up invites an immediate Russian attack.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
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Apart from evidence, some of the most important testimonies in the case were also deemed useless during the investigation.—
Alex Gurley,
People.com,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
Clark was largely ineffective, recording 10 points, six assists, five rebounds and four turnovers.—
Garrett Chorpenning,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
-
Patients, many of whom are living with chronic, complex conditions, may receive care that is ineffective, inappropriate or dismissive.—
Hany Demian,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
Jose Palma, co-coordinator at the National TPS Alliance, said the move was counterproductive.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
7 July 2025
-
If the goal is to obtain compliance, masks are counterproductive.—
Christy Lopez Guest,
Mercury News,
5 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ineffectual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ineffectual. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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