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ineffectual

If you are a coach with a losing team that doesn't listen to you, don't be surprised if you are called ineffectual. It means too weak to produce the desired effect.

Ineffectual as a word is similar to ineffective, but while ineffective implies that something simply doesn't work, ineffectual carries with it the idea of weakness too. A broken baseball bat is ineffective, a baseball bat made out of felt? Ineffectual.

DEFINITIONS OF: ineffectual

1

adj not producing an intended effect

Synonyms:
ineffective, uneffective
idle
not in action or at work
toothless
lacking necessary force for effectiveness
unproductive
not producing desired results
inefficacious
lacking the power to produce a desired effect
inefficient
not producing desired results; wasteful
powerless
lacking power
useless
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
Antonyms:
effective, effectual, efficacious
producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect
hard-hitting, trenchant
characterized by or full of force and vigor
impelling
markedly effective as if by emotional pressure
impressive, telling
producing a strong effect
rough-and-ready
crude but effective for the purpose at hand
efficacious
marked by qualities giving the power to produce an intended effect
efficient
being effective without wasting time or effort or expense
potent, stiff, strong
having a strong physiological or chemical effect
powerful
having great power or force or potency or effect
useful, utile
being of use or service
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adj producing no result or effect

“the therapy was ineffectual
Synonyms:
futile, otiose, unavailing
useless
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully

adj lacking in power or forcefulness

“an ineffectual ruler”
Synonyms:
ineffective, unable
impotent
lacking power or ability
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