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ineffectually

ineffectually

1 6.3
In a way that does not get the result you want
  • adverb
  • /ˌɪnɪˈfɛkʧuəli/
: inefectivamente
  • From exile, they actively, if ineffectually, worked against the Italian occupation.
  • fumbled ineffectually
  • tried ineffectually

Gorbachev ineffectually, Yeltsin good to begin with, and then he drank himself into into into being a a useful gibber.

Examples

  • I turned to see her, still surrounded by the crowd of dead scholars, struggling ineffectually with them.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Fire engines, truncated, absurdly small, sprayed water ineffectually from heavy fabric hoses.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Race is handled ineffectually in movies and fiction all the time.

    Blog text (29)
  • Benny looks around ineffectually and shrugs.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Opposing a new pipeline does something, even if only indirectly and ultimately ineffectually.

    Blog text (30)
  • I found Lester ineffectually trying to shelter himself in the lee of an oblong stone column.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Eloise kicks ineffectually at the vandalized resort sign.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Dr. Litmouse rose and brushed ineffectually at his baggy suit.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • I've been sort of flailing ineffectually here, lacking any real knowledge of the history of soap operas.

    Blog text (28)
  • Despite his efforts to fix the leaking faucet, he ended up working ineffectually, making the problem worse.

Synonyms

lamely
vsineffectually
4 5.6

In a weak way that does not seem believable

means failing to produce intended result rather than just being unconvincing
uselessly
vsineffectually
4 3.5

In a way that does not help or make any difference

focuses on failing to reach an intended goal rather than general uselessness
futilely
vsineffectually
3 7.4

In a way that does not make a difference

is about failing to produce the intended result rather than no usefulness
ineffectively
vsineffectually
2 4.0

In a way that does not get the result you want

is the general adverb for failing to reach a specific intended result
unproductively
vsineffectually
1 6.7

In a way that fails to get useful results

is about failing to achieve an intended effect rather than low productivity
unavailingly
vsineffectually
1 8.0

Without success when someone tries to do something

stresses failing to reach a specific aim rather than broad uselessness
abortively
vsineffectually
1 7.9

In a way that fails to reach the goal

is focused on failing to produce intended results rather than usefulness
inefficaciously
vsineffectually
9.9

In a way that does not work or help

is about lacking practical effectiveness in achieving a planned result

Antonyms

337 1.8

In a way that gets the result you want

249 3.6

In a way that gets the result you want

2 6.9

In a way that brings the wanted result

How Effectively

successfully
337 1.8
effectively
249 3.6
ineffectually
1 6.3
uselessly
4 3.5

Surface Forms

ineffectually positive

Morphology

ineffectually = ineffectual (semi-transparent) = in + effect + ual + ly

This is a regular adverb formed by adding '-ly' to the adjective 'ineffectual'.

Etymology

Ineffectually is built from in- 'not' and effect 'result', and ineffectual means 'not producing a result'. So, to act ineffectually is to try but fail to get the result or to do something without being effective.