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

Other Word Forms

• ineffectuality noun
• ineffectualness noun
• ineffectually 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

He said the "ineffectual near silence" from police, prosecutors and the government after the attacks led to disinformation that sparked widespread rioting in the days after the attack.

From BBC

Ministerial functions like car registration and Medicare enrollment and, sure, passport issuance always take the brunt of grousing about the government being so ineffectual.

From Los Angeles Times

They have been ineffectual in the establishment of any semblance of an organisation able to take over inside the country if the opportunity arises.

From BBC

Those same ingredients make him utterly ineffectual as a world leader.

From Salon

In fact, her inner monologue in one tense chapter is: "Think, you stupid ineffectual bit*h, think!"

From Salon

Related Words

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