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ineffectually

ineffectually

1 6.3
In a way that does not get the result you want
  • adverb
  • /ˌɪnɪˈfɛkʧuəli/
translation icon : 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
5 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
3 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
inefficaciously
vsineffectually
9.9

In a way that does not work or help

is about lacking practical effectiveness in achieving a planned result
abortively
vsineffectually
7.9

In a way that fails to reach the goal

is focused on failing to produce intended results rather than usefulness
unavailingly
vsineffectually
8.0

Without success when someone tries to do something

stresses failing to reach a specific aim rather than broad uselessness

Antonyms

350 1.8

In a way that gets the result you want

261 3.6

In a way that gets the result you want

1 6.9

In a way that brings the wanted result

How Effectively

successfully
350 1.8
effectively
261 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.