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
Some have even compared this summer to the inactive, ineffectual years under previous owner Mike Ashley, such has been the volume of silence at times.
—
Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
The Dodgers’ ineffectual offense against the Brewers wasted an excellent outing from Tyler Glasnow in his second start back from the injured list.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 19 July 2025
The messy online battle between Trump and Musk gave Democrats some relief from months of ineffectual attempts to impede the president’s agenda, recriminations over the 2024 election, divisions about their future, and a lack of clear leadership, resulting in historic unpopularity.
—Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 6 June 2025
Three recent letters to the editor in The Baltimore Sun have highlighted the ineffectual performance standards of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, the state’s education reform plan that mandates increased spending on K-12 public education.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ineffectual
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Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
The Dodgers’ ineffectual offense against the Brewers wasted an excellent outing from Tyler Glasnow in his second start back from the injured list.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 19 July 2025
The messy online battle between Trump and Musk gave Democrats some relief from months of ineffectual attempts to impede the president’s agenda, recriminations over the 2024 election, divisions about their future, and a lack of clear leadership, resulting in historic unpopularity.
—Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 6 June 2025
Three recent letters to the editor in The Baltimore Sun have highlighted the ineffectual performance standards of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, the state’s education reform plan that mandates increased spending on K-12 public education.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 20 May 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 29 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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