ineffectual ?/b> \ˌi-nə-ˈfek-chə(-wə)l, -ˈfeksh-wəl\ ?/b> (adj.)


ineffectual ?/b> \ˌi-nə-ˈfek-chə(-wə)l, -ˈfeksh-wəl\ ?/b> (adj.)
: not producing the proper or usual effect

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EXAMPLE FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES
The word ineffectual has appeared in 63 Times articles over the past year, most recently in " A Clean, Well-Lighted Place Full of Bells and Whistles " on November 17, 2008.

...It takes a minute to notice the man (Mr. Kawaguchi, a silky, versatile mover) in the shiny red raincoat, lurking in the scaffolding. Soon enough he's unleashed, offering a few clich? thoughts on perception, color and such. As he speaks, key words are picked up on the video screen behind him, which looks for all the world like a giant screen saver.

Surrounded by all this silliness and hindered by ineffectual choreography, the men don't have much hope of making an impact. Who is to know if they're telling truths or falsehoods?