Ineffectual: meaning, example and synonyms
Ineffectualadj. Not producing the intended result; lacking the ability to get things done.
Example
Because the treaty had no means of enforcement, it proved ineffectual, and fishing fleets continued to exceed their quotas.
- Part of speech
- adjective
- Synonyms
- ineffective, futile, useless, feeble
- Antonyms
- effective, successful, potent, efficacious
- Memory tip
- in- (not) + effectual: it produces no effect.
Ineffectual is in batch 7. Study it with the rest of the batch, then pass the batch quiz to learn it. No account needed; progress is saved on this device.
Check yourself: Ineffectual in context
The new regulations proved ______: factories simply paid the small fines and continued releasing pollutants into the river at the same rate.
Answer: ineffectual. Rules that change nothing failed to have their effect. Ingenuous, banal and erratic don't mean failing to achieve a result.
Though well intentioned, the committee was ______, meeting monthly for three years without passing a single recommendation.
Answer: ineffectual. Three years without results means it accomplished nothing. Imperious, disingenuous and ingenuous describe manner, not a lack of results.