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
Synonyms
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
How Colin Firth and Hugh Grant devised their 'ineffectual' fight in Bridget Jones's Diary
Grant's next film, the A24 thriller Heretic, hits theaters Nov. 15.
—
Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 14 Sep. 2024
Nutt deployed his stun gun when Crabtree was 7 to 10 feet away from him, but the stun gun appeared ineffectual, and Crabtree continued to advanced rapidly towards him, according to the letter.
—Tracy Neal, arkansasonline.com, 9 Sep. 2024
In August 2023, for instance, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, speaking as the chair of ECOWAS, issued a premature and ineffectual threat of military action against Niger’s junta, while other governments were pursuing diplomatic strategies.
—Joseph Sany, Foreign Affairs, 30 Jan. 2024
He’s first pictured silently brooding in his garden, and the overall impression of him is an amoral yet ineffectual leader, long past his prime.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 1 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ineffectual 
Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 14 Sep. 2024
Nutt deployed his stun gun when Crabtree was 7 to 10 feet away from him, but the stun gun appeared ineffectual, and Crabtree continued to advanced rapidly towards him, according to the letter.
—Tracy Neal, arkansasonline.com, 9 Sep. 2024
In August 2023, for instance, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, speaking as the chair of ECOWAS, issued a premature and ineffectual threat of military action against Niger’s junta, while other governments were pursuing diplomatic strategies.
—Joseph Sany, Foreign Affairs, 30 Jan. 2024
He’s first pictured silently brooding in his garden, and the overall impression of him is an amoral yet ineffectual leader, long past his prime.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 1 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ineffectual
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ineffectual.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near ineffectual
Cite this Entry
“Ineffectual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ineffectual. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
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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