In·ef·fec·tu·al·ly, adv. Without effect; in vain.
     Hereford . . . had been besieged for about two months ineffectually by the Scots.   --Ludlow.
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  ineffectually
       adv : in an ineffectual manner; "she tried ineffectually to light
             the primus, and Thomas came to help her" [ant: effectually]