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
In 2022, after a period of relative quiet, the M23 began clashing with the Congolese Army, a corrupt and largely ineffectual force.
—
Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Progressives, both those in the House and those running to join Schumer in the upper chamber, did not hesitate to lay blame at the feet of the New York senator, arguing his ineffectual leadership led eight Democrats to cut a deal with Republican leaders to reopen the government in the coming days.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 11 Nov. 2025
The spruces huddled defensively, as if expecting hard times, and the birch and aspen waved white, ineffectual arms at the snapping November wind.
—Joel M. Vance, Outdoor Life, 29 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for ineffectual
Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Progressives, both those in the House and those running to join Schumer in the upper chamber, did not hesitate to lay blame at the feet of the New York senator, arguing his ineffectual leadership led eight Democrats to cut a deal with Republican leaders to reopen the government in the coming days.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 11 Nov. 2025
The spruces huddled defensively, as if expecting hard times, and the birch and aspen waved white, ineffectual arms at the snapping November wind.
—Joel M. Vance, Outdoor Life, 29 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for ineffectual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ineffectual
Adjective
-
These therapies are not universally successful, of course, but can often save lives and defeat cancers where other methods are unsuccessful.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Symptoms include cravings, unsuccessful quit attempts, tolerance and withdrawal.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Their effort to find a home in Overtown seemed futile until Miami-Dade County Commissioner Keon Hardemon, who grew up in Liberty City, conceived a brilliant idea.—
Dorothy Jenkins Fields,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
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But the rally felt less threatening than futile.—
Zach Fisch,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Willingly taking back an inefficient contract from a contender, even if that contract has term involved, is just a more extreme application of this basic logic.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
-
In processes like this, any loss of carbon as carbon dioxide is a key sign that the underlying process is inefficient.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Brown’s statement on Monday was mostly useless corporate-speak.—
Paul Dehner Jr,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
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This tiny amount of copper acts as a molecular steering wheel, preventing sugar molecules from shattering into useless carbon dioxide.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Without this step, emotional conversations become emotionally expensive and structurally ineffective.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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Since mothballs are proven to be ineffective (and harmful), here are some safer alternatives to consider.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Short-term fixes alone are unlikely to address the root causes of affordability and, if misguided, could even prove counterproductive.—
Gene Ludwig,
Fortune,
11 Jan. 2026
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Swart warned the street unrest is actively counterproductive.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ineffectual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ineffectual. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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