ineffectual

[ in-i-fek-choo-uhl ]

/ ˌɪn ɪˈfɛk tʃu əl /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: ineffectual / ineffectuality / ineffectually / ineffectualness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

not effectual; without satisfactory or decisive effect: an ineffectual remedy.

unavailing; futile: His efforts to sell the house were ineffectual.

powerless; impotent.

OTHER WORDS FOR ineffectual

2 ineffective, fruitless, pointless, abortive.

3 feeble, weak.

See synonyms for ineffectual on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

IS THIS EIGHTH GRADE VOCAB QUIZ FEASIBLE FOR YOU?

Prove that nothing is amiss with your vocabulary skills by taking this quiz on popular eighth grade vocabulary.

Question 1 of 10

What does the word “confiscate” mean?

to praise or celebrate

to gather together

to seize by or as if by authority; appropriate summarily

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Origin of ineffectual

A late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; see origin at in-³, effectual

synonym study for ineffectual

2. See useless.

OTHER WORDS FROM ineffectual

in·ef·fec·tu·al·i·ty, in·ef·fec·tu·al·ness, nounin·ef·fec·tu·al·ly, adverb

Words nearby ineffectual

ineducation, ineffable, ineffaceable, in effect, ineffective, ineffectual, inefficacious, inefficacy, inefficiency, inefficient, in effigy

How to use ineffectual in a sentence

“The reasons for the delay were varied and complex and included fierce competition over finite resources, bitter interpersonal rivalries, and ineffectual scientific management,” the 2019 study in Physics Today noted.
Insights into the Nazis’ failed nuclear program may lie within this 2-inch-tall uranium cube|Caroline Anders|August 25, 2021|Washington Post
When Superman and Batman doffed their costumes to become Clark Kent or Bruce Wayne, they revealed personae as ineffectual as Don Diego, the ennui-ridden, apolitical dandy who delights in playing parlor tricks with his handkerchief.
Zorro at 100: Why the original swashbuckler is still the quintessential American action hero|Michael Sragow|January 1, 2021|Washington Post
This model is meaningfully distinct from the constituency statutes in some states that seek to strengthen stakeholder interests, but that stakeholder advocates condemn as ineffectual.
50 years later, Milton Friedman’s shareholder doctrine is dead|jakemeth|September 13, 2020|Fortune
The Obama administration has pulled together a coalition as ineffectual as it is unwilling.
There’s Only One Way to Beat ISIS: Work With Assad and Iran|Leslie H. Gelb|October 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The end result only confirmed its image as disorganized and ineffectual.
Boko Haram Steps Up Its War on Kids|Nina Strochlic|May 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Why, then, are we led to believe that her conniving ways are so ineffectual and misdirected?
The Abused Wives of Westeros: A Song of Feminism in ‘Game of Thrones’|Amy Zimmerman|April 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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 More|Andrew Romano|April 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But the White House is sounding more and more defensive and ineffectual.
The Second Oldest Profession is Here to Stay|Christopher Dickey|October 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Who can understand its nature, its operations, the sufficiency which is not sufficient, and the efficacy which is ineffectual.
A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 1 (of 10)|Franois-Marie Arouet (AKA Voltaire)
We had heard the roar of her guns, and the quick, ineffectual firing from Fort McAllister.
The Boys of '61|Charles Carleton Coffin.
Gaolers and soldiers, utterly taken aback by this sudden onslaught, made but ineffectual resistance.
Jack Harkaway's Boy Tinker Among The Turks|Bracebridge Hemyng
In some places an ineffectual resistance was made, and several lives lost on both sides.
Fox's Book of Martyrs|John Foxe
A rift in the opposition was started, and an attempt to close it by a conference two days later was ineffectual.
The Political History of England - Vol. X.|William Hunt

British Dictionary definitions for ineffectual

ineffectual

/ (ˌɪnɪˈfɛktʃʊəl) /

adjective

having no effect or an inadequate effect

lacking in power or forcefulness; impotentan ineffectual ruler

Derived forms of ineffectual

ineffectuality or ineffectualness, nounineffectually, adverb

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

ineffectual

OTHER WORDS FOR ineffectual

Origin of ineffectual

synonym study for ineffectual

OTHER WORDS FROM ineffectual

Words nearby ineffectual

Words related to ineffectual

How to use ineffectual in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ineffectual

Derived forms of ineffectual