In the OED:
effectively, (adverb)—in such a manner as to achieve a desired result:
make sure that resources are used effectively.effectual, (adjective)—successful in producing a desired or intended result;
derivatives: […], effectually adverb, […].
In Wiktionary:
effectually […] Synonyms: completely, effectively.
In the Encyclopaedia Britannica I read:
Though the designs of the Frenchs against Jamaica were now effectually frustrated, the victory was not followed […].
Further, in the Guardian I read:
Schools that had once been mixed were now effectually segregated.
So, I am confused if the above sentences would sound better as
- Though the designs of the Frenchs against Jamaica were now effectively frustrated, the victory was not followed […]
- Schools had once been mixed were now effectively segregated.
Can you confirm whether effectually and effectively are completely interchangable or not?
Note: I read "'The team is moving around really effectively.' — Is this a correct use of effectively?", but there it does not answer my question.
Best Answer
Effectually is effectively archaic. Don't use it.
Note that OP's definitions evidence the fact that the two words are synonyms in the adverbial sense of "with efficacy", which normally implies purposefully and efficiently.
On the other hand, my own usage at the start of this answer has more the sense of "in effect, to all intents and purposes, in practice" (a meaning which also originally attached to effectually). But since most people probably won't be so familiar with the archaic form, presented with...
...they might well tend to interpret effectually there as meaning the morphine was administered in order to give him a painless death, where effectively would often be seen as implying that death was more of an unfortunate/unforeseen/accidental consequence of the pain-killing treatment.
For all that, I would not recommend using effectually in any non-facetious circumstances.