fruitless

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Though seeking only feedback, not bids, and not backed by funding, the notice buoyed the hopes of activists who have engaged in a long and so-far fruitless effort to bring the chapel back to life.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Other members of his sales team burned out on fruitless cold calls, but McDermott said he would skip leisurely, expensive lunches with co-workers to pack in more calls and sales meetings.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 18, 2026

Over the course of seven years and 700 sorties, 29 planes had been lost in a fruitless attempt to take out a single bridge across the Song Ma river, dubbed the Dragon’s Jaw.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026

The airline's union for flight attendants issued a "no confidence" vote in Isom, while the pilots's union amplified a demand to meet with American's board of directors after describing conversations alone with management as fruitless.

From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026

It was on his way back into town after a fruitless search that he caught sight of the cow munching on a bale of mildewed government hay in the pen behind Forest Service headquarters.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols