ineffectual

[ in-i-fek-choo-uhl ]

adjective

1. not effectual; without satisfactory or decisive effect:

   an ineffectual remedy.

2. unavailing; futile:

   His efforts to sell the house were ineffectual.

   Synonyms: abortive, pointless, fruitless, ineffective

3. powerless; impotent.

   Synonyms: weak, feeble

ineffectual

/ ˌɪnɪˈfɛktʃʊəl /

adjective

1. having no effect or an inadequate effect
2. lacking in power or forcefulness; impotent

   an ineffectual ruler

Derived Forms

• ˌinefˈfectually, adverb
• ˌinefˌfectuˈality, noun

Other Words From

• inef·fectu·ali·ty inef·fectu·al·ness noun
• inef·fectu·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of ineffectual¹

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

Synonym Study

See useless.

Example Sentences

They also say the agency is ineffectual when it comes to its other main area of oversight, antitrust and competition, or ensuring market fairness.

From Digiday

“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.

From 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.

From 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.

From Fortune

The Obama administration has pulled together a coalition as ineffectual as it is unwilling.

From The Daily Beast

The end result only confirmed its image as disorganized and ineffectual.

From The Daily Beast

Why, then, are we led to believe that her conniving ways are so ineffectual and misdirected?

From The Daily Beast

On Thrones, power, politics, money, and force constantly trump goodness, in each of its ineffectual forms.

From The Daily Beast

But the White House is sounding more and more defensive and ineffectual.

From The Daily Beast

Who can understand its nature, its operations, the sufficiency which is not sufficient, and the efficacy which is ineffectual.

From Project Gutenberg

We had heard the roar of her guns, and the quick, ineffectual firing from Fort McAllister.

From Project Gutenberg

Gaolers and soldiers, utterly taken aback by this sudden onslaught, made but ineffectual resistance.

From Project Gutenberg

In some places an ineffectual resistance was made, and several lives lost on both sides.

From Project Gutenberg

A rift in the opposition was started, and an attempt to close it by a conference two days later was ineffectual.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• futile
• impotent
• inadequate
• ineffective
• inefficient
• insufficient
• unproductive