to no effect

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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 in vain infertile profitless spinning one's wheels sterile to no avail 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 avail 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 avail 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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to no effect

The U.S. budget saw little to no effect from the Supreme Court decision on Feb. 20 to strike down a broad swath of President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

From Barron's ● Apr. 10, 2026

Military actions like Maduro’s arrest and the bombing of Iran’s nuclear bunkers in June have little to no effect on pump prices and even less on the U.S. economy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 5, 2026

McLaren believe it will have next to no effect on relative competitiveness.

From BBC ● May 30, 2025

If existing funds are available as expected, the settlement will have little to no effect on the impending state budget negotiations.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 1, 2024

There was a flashing error message, and he tapped it repeatedly to no effect.

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro

to no effect

Example Sentences

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