in ‧ ef ‧ fec ‧ tu ‧ al /ˌɪnəˈfektʃuəl◂, ˌɪnɪˈfektʃuəl◂/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ effect , ↑ effectiveness ≠ ↑ ineffectiveness ; adjective : ↑ effective ≠ ↑ ineffective , ↑ effectual ≠ ↑ ineffectual ; verb : ↑ effect ; adverb : ↑ effectively ≠ ↑ ineffectively ]
not having the ability, confidence, or personal authority to get things done:
an ineffectual leader
She remembered her ineffectual efforts to comfort him.
—ineffectually adverb