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
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2
as in futile
producing no results
another ineffectual plan to lose weight without dieting or exercising
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Recent Examples of ineffectual
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
David Arquette, cast as good-natured if ineffectual deputy Dewey, met Courteney Cox at the first read.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024
The Dance was born out of a succession crisis that occurred in the reign of the well-meaning but ineffectual King Viserys I (Paddy Considine), which HOTD’s first season had to devote much screen time to explaining.
—Basma Bedawi, Vulture, 14 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for ineffectual 
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
David Arquette, cast as good-natured if ineffectual deputy Dewey, met Courteney Cox at the first read.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024
The Dance was born out of a succession crisis that occurred in the reign of the well-meaning but ineffectual King Viserys I (Paddy Considine), which HOTD’s first season had to devote much screen time to explaining.
—Basma Bedawi, Vulture, 14 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for ineffectual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ineffectual
Adjective
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Trump attempted one last time to get a judge to block the report but was unsuccessful, NPR's Carrie Johnson tells Up First.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
14 Jan. 2025
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An attempt was made to cut a lock to uniform storage, however was unsuccessful.—
City News Service,
Orange County Register,
12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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In my experience, even attempting to get a price estimate beforehand is often futile.—
Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell,
Newsweek,
15 Jan. 2025
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Unnecessary pesticides are costly and often futile, and hey may kill beneficial insects and plants.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Currently there are far too many neighborhoods lacking access to public transportation altogether, and what does exist is often inefficient.—
Selvena Brooks-Powers,
New York Daily News,
17 Jan. 2025
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Writing in the Wall Street Journal, Toyota’s Jack Hollis also called for the end of expensive and inefficient tax credits.—
Veronique de Rugy,
The Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Without that essential training to help surmount powerful systemic barriers, the kit would have been useless—and in that sense, the job is still woefully unfinished.—
Sheila McClear,
The Atlantic,
16 Jan. 2025
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Esoteric knowledge of the parks, essentially useless anywhere else, is suddenly incredibly useful.—
Darryn King,
Forbes,
13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Don't Apply Herbicide to a Dormant Lawn Herbicide, just like fertilizer, is ineffective on a dormant lawn.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Jan. 2025
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The scientists concluded that the cull was ineffective, and advised officials in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to focus on the cows, and leave the badger out of it.—
Anna Russell,
The New Yorker,
10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Control To Collaboration The old model of controlling company messaging and maintaining a perfect image is becoming counterproductive.—
Medhat Zaki,
Forbes,
3 Jan. 2025
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Moving Gallen after signing Burnes would be counterproductive for a team trying to reach its second World Series in three years.—
Ken Rosenthal,
The Athletic,
3 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near ineffectual
Cite this Entry
“Ineffectual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ineffectual. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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