ineffectual
[in-i-fek-choo-uh l]
- not effectual; without satisfactory or decisive effect: an ineffectual remedy.
- unavailing; futile: His efforts to sell the house were ineffectual.
- powerless; impotent.
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Origin of ineffectual
Synonyms
See more synonyms for ineffectual on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for ineffectual
Contemporary Examples
The Obama administration has pulled together a coalition as ineffectual as it is unwilling.
The end result only confirmed its image as disorganized and ineffectual.
Why, then, are we led to believe that her conniving ways are so ineffectual and misdirected?
On Thrones, power, politics, money, and force constantly trump goodness, in each of its ineffectual forms.
Game of Thrones’ ‘Breaker of Chains’: The Most Cynical Show on TV Bares Its Fangs Once MoreAndrew Romano
April 21, 2014
But the White House is sounding more and more defensive and ineffectual.
Historical Examples
The same thoughts might look cold and ineffectual, in a printed book.
A Book of AutographsNathaniel Hawthorne
The boys made an ineffectual search for those who had played the trick.
Frank Roscoe's SecretAllen Chapman
Only an ineffectual artillery fire was maintained by the enemy.
After that all Jean's and Maurice's entreaties were ineffectual to make her keep quiet.
The DownfallEmile Zola
Ione struggled to her feet and tried to help, but her efforts were ineffectual.
The Einstein See-SawMiles John Breuer
ineffectual
- having no effect or an inadequate effect
- lacking in power or forcefulness; impotentan ineffectual ruler
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for ineffectual
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper