Meaning of ineffectual in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Classifying Adjective
    1. Definitions
  3. Qualitative Adjective
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˌɪnəˈfɛk(t)ʃ(u)əl/

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  1. Classifying Adjective

    ineffectual

    Definitions

    1. producing no result or effect

    Examples

    • « a futile effort »
    • « the therapy was ineffectual »
    • « an otiose undertaking »
    • « an unavailing attempt »

    Synonyms

  2. 2. lacking in power or forcefulness

    Examples

    • « an ineffectual ruler »
    • « like an unable phoenix in hot ashes »

    Synonyms

  3. Qualitative Adjective

    ineffectual

    Etymology

    late Middle English: from medieval Latin ineffectualis, from in-‘not’ + effectualis, from Latin effectus (see effect); in later use from in-‘not’ + effectual

    Definitions

    1. not sufficient to produce a desired result

    Examples

    • « an ineffectual effort to block the legislation »

    Antonyms

  4. 2. not producing an intended effect

    Examples

    • « an ineffective teacher »
    • « ineffective legislation »

    Synonyms

    Antonyms

Famous quotes

  • « All humanity is passion without passion, religion, history, novels, art would be ineffectual. »
    Honore de Balzac
  • « If you think of yourselves as helpless and ineffectual, it is certain that you will create a despotic government to be your master. The wise despot, therefore, maintains among his subjects a popular sense that they are helpless and ineffectual. »
    Frank Herbert
  • « If you imagine someone with 100 percent determination and 100 percent intelligence, you can discard a lot of intelligence before they stop succeeding. But if you start discarding determination, you very quickly get an ineffectual and perpetual grad student. »
    Paul Graham

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