Definitions

in vain

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fruitless adj.
futile adj.
unavailing adj.

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

Opposition, however, has not been in vain, he said.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 30, 2026

But England's bowlers held their nerve on this occasion, closing out a 55-run win as the brilliant Pavan Rathnayake's 118 off just 77 balls was in vain for Sri Lanka.

From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026

I’ve searched in vain for Norm Macdonald-like labels, “And now, the effective-altruism-spun news.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 2026

But Kaepernick doesn’t leave readers feeling that his work was in vain, or that he is without hope.

From Salon ● Sep. 29, 2026

She moved around like a tin soldier, her legs stiff, trying in vain to grab the rope with her teeth.

From "Willodeen" by Katherine Applegate

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