Definitions

in vain

ADJECTIVE

fruitless

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abortive futile ineffective ineffectual pointless unproductive unsuccessful useless

WEAK

barren empty gainless idle infertile profitless spinning one's wheels sterile to no avail to no effect unavailable unavailing unfruitful unprofitable unprolific vain

Antonyms

STRONGEST

effective effectual fruitful productive profitable

WEAK

copious plentiful potent successful useful

ADJECTIVE

futile

Synonyms

STRONGEST

fruitless hollow impractical ineffective ineffectual insufficient trivial unproductive unprofitable unsuccessful useless vain worthless

WEAK

abortive barren bootless delusive empty exhausted forlorn idle impracticable no dice nugatory on a treadmill otiose out the window profitless resultless save one's breath sterile to no avail to no effect to no purpose trifling unavailing unimportant unneeded unreal unsatisfactory unsubstantial valueless

Antonyms

STRONGEST

effective fruitful helpful productive profitable successful useful valuable worthwhile

WEAK

hopeful

ADJECTIVE

unavailing

Synonyms

WEAK

barren empty exhausted fruitless idle impractical ineffective ineffectual on a treadmill save one's breath to no avail to no effect to no purpose trifling trivial unproductive unprofitable unsuccessful useless vain valueless worthless

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.

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in vain

Filipino fans formed unmoving lines, hoping in vain to squeeze into the ludicrously limited capacity of Court 6 just to catch a glimpse of her main draw debut.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2026

Speaking of trillion-dollar leprechauns, you will hunt through all 545 pages in vain for those big “DOGE” savings you were promised.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 17, 2026

A woman whose daughter died less than two weeks after being diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour is campaigning to change "appalling" research funding so her death "isn't in vain".

From BBC ● May 27, 2026

The Rays say the answer to their problems is a new stadium, and they have been trying in vain to turn that dream into a reality for 20 years.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026

This time, however, his efforts were in vain.

From "The Thief Lord" by Cornelia Funke

in vain

Example Sentences

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Related Words