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Weak vs Ineffectual - What's the difference?

weak | ineffectual |

As adjectives the difference between weak and ineffectual

is that weak is lacking in force (usually strength) or ability while ineffectual is unable or insufficient to produce effect; futile.

weak

English

Adjective

(er)
  • Lacking in force (usually strength) or ability.
  • * Shakespeare
  • a poor, infirm, weak , and despised old man
  • * Dryden
  • weak with hunger, mad with love
  • Unable to sustain a great weight, pressure, or strain.
  • a weak''' timber; a '''weak rope
  • Unable to withstand temptation, urgency, persuasion, etc.; easily impressed, moved, or overcome; accessible; vulnerable.
  • weak''' resolutions; '''weak virtue
  • * Joseph Addison, The Fair Petinent Act I, scene I:
  • Guard thy heart / On this weak side, where most our nature fails.
  • Dilute, lacking in taste or potency.
  • *
  • , title=The Mirror and the Lamp , chapter=2 citation , passage=That the young Mr. Churchills liked—but they did not like him coming round of an evening and drinking weak whisky-and-water while he held forth on railway debentures and corporation loans. Mr. Barrett, however, by fawning and flattery, seemed to be able to make not only Mrs. Churchill but everyone else do what he desired.}}
  • (grammar) Displaying a particular kind of inflection, including:
  • # (Germanic languages, of verbs) Regular in inflection, lacking vowel changes and having a past tense with -d- or -t-.
  • # (Germanic languages, of nouns) Showing less distinct grammatical endings.
  • # (Germanic languages, of adjectives) Definite in meaning, often used with a definite article or similar word.
  • (physics) One of the four fundamental forces associated with nuclear decay.
  • (slang) Bad or uncool.
  • (mathematics, logic) Having a narrow range of logical consequences; narrowly applicable. (Often contrasted with a statement which implies it.)
  • Resulting from, or indicating, lack of judgment, discernment, or firmness; unwise; hence, foolish.
  • * Milton
  • If evil thence ensue, / She first his weak indulgence will accuse.
  • Not having power to convince; not supported by force of reason or truth; unsustained.
  • The prosecution advanced a weak case.
  • * Milton
  • convinced of his weak arguing
  • Lacking in vigour or expression.
  • a weak''' sentence; a '''weak style
  • Not prevalent or effective, or not felt to be prevalent; not potent; feeble.
  • * Shakespeare
  • weak prayers
  • (stock exchange) Tending towards lower prices.
  • a weak market

    Synonyms

    * (lacking in force or ability) feeble, frail, powerless, vincible, assailable ,vulnerable * (lacking in taste or potency) dilute, watery * See also

    Antonyms

    * (lacking in force or ability) healthy, powerful, robust, strong, invincible * (lacking in taste or potency) potent, robust, strong

    Derived terms

    * weaken * weakling * weakness * weak sister

    Anagrams

    * 1000 English basic words ----

    ineffectual

    English

    Alternative forms

    * ineffectuall (obsolete)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • unable or insufficient to produce effect; futile
  • After several ineffectual and abortive leaps, we were forced to lift him over the obstacle.
  • worthless
  • weak; lacking forcefulness
  • Our group leader proved highly ineffectual , caving to every whim put forth by the other members.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Antonyms

    * effectual