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Definitions

to no avail

ADJECTIVE
fruitless
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abortive futile ineffective ineffectual pointless unproductive unsuccessful useless
WEAK
barren empty gainless idle in vain infertile profitless spinning one's wheels sterile 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 in vain no dice nugatory on a treadmill otiose out the window profitless resultless save one's breath sterile 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 in vain ineffective ineffectual on a treadmill save one's breath 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.

The 84-year-old had gone in with a serious infection or inflammation following advice from his GP, who tried to contact the hospital ahead of his arrival to no avail.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

Stars like Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and teenage wonder Macklin Celebrini repeatedly barraged the zone, to no avail.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 22, 2026

Botswana and its president, Duma Boko, De Beers' biggest producer partner with a 15-percent holding, led a determined push to finalise a deal by last year but to no avail.

From Barron's • Feb. 8, 2026

They finally used a bystander’s legs as a makeshift platform — to no avail.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2026

Some of the Hob women tried to teach her to no avail.

From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead