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
Movies like Eddington and The Mastermind also render their white male protagonists as ill-prepared and ineffectual numbskulls incapable of confronting their era’s racial and social politics.
—
Robert Daniels, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
As Florida has become increasingly dominated by Republicans, the state Democratic Party has been weakened by infighting and largely ineffectual in elections.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
The performance goes from fiery to ineffectual as DiCaprio’s character, Bob, loses his youthful rebelliousness in a haze of pot and resignation.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
In addition to addressing an unmet need and providing credit and financial services to people who aren’t served because of ineffectual infrastructure, Loo sees Tala as a business that is taking big leaps.
—Jack McCullough, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffectual
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Robert Daniels, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
As Florida has become increasingly dominated by Republicans, the state Democratic Party has been weakened by infighting and largely ineffectual in elections.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
The performance goes from fiery to ineffectual as DiCaprio’s character, Bob, loses his youthful rebelliousness in a haze of pot and resignation.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
In addition to addressing an unmet need and providing credit and financial services to people who aren’t served because of ineffectual infrastructure, Loo sees Tala as a business that is taking big leaps.
—Jack McCullough, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 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 4 Nov. 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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