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.

Eloquent voices warned the Greeks not to follow this path, to no avail.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026

Sheriff’s personnel responded to the scene at 3 p.m. and used deescalation tactics to try to coax the suspect from the car for several hours to no avail.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

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

For years, critics have argued that the dollar’s place of primacy would erode, to no avail.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

At the driver’s blank look, she made swimming motions, to no avail.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

to no avail

Example Sentences

Related Words