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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in futile
producing no results
another ineffectual plan to lose weight without dieting or exercising
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ineffectual
The country is mired in a prolonged crisis brought on by years of hyperinflation, political corruption, economic mismanagement and an ineffectual government.
—
Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026
The country is mired in a prolonged crisis brought on by years of hyperinflation, political corruption, economic mismanagement and an ineffectual government.
—CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
One of those two justices focused on how it was underused, rendering it ineffectual for deterring others from committing crimes.
—Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
Being made to look ineffectual—particularly at a moment when public opinion would reward him for toughness—could well goad Trump into taking action.
—Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ineffectual
Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026
The country is mired in a prolonged crisis brought on by years of hyperinflation, political corruption, economic mismanagement and an ineffectual government.
—CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
One of those two justices focused on how it was underused, rendering it ineffectual for deterring others from committing crimes.
—Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
Being made to look ineffectual—particularly at a moment when public opinion would reward him for toughness—could well goad Trump into taking action.
—Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ineffectual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ineffectual
Adjective
-
An attempt to get a comment from Scrooge Sul about the allegations was unsuccessful.—
Jesse Sarles,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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The man had surgical hardware in his right ankle but attempts to identify him from the serial numbers were unsuccessful, according to the medical examiner’s office.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Even with the spotlight, MeÌndez said the debate feels futile.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
14 Mar. 2026
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Even subtle futile cycles – processes in which molecules are repeatedly built and broken down – consume energy and generate heat.—
Claudio Villanueva,
The Conversation,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Energy-efficient chips Standard computer chips are inefficient.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Mar. 2026
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Yogyakarta is inefficient by modern standards.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The inscription would have sent enemies quite an impression as it was burned into the stone with molten lead, as if daring the attackers to continue their useless advance, Live Science continues.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Mar. 2026
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Electronics were useless to her.—
Alex Morris,
Rolling Stone,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The approach quickly proved ineffective.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
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Some people also have expressed concern that reducing the speed limits will be ineffective without additional enforcement.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Tech leaders have quietly backed Anthropic, saying that AI isn’t ready for some weapons and that strong-arming companies is counterproductive and antidemocratic.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
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That seems to be counterproductive.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ineffectual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ineffectual. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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