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to no effect

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.

The object’s classification as a sednoid also means the gravitational influence of Neptune has little to no effect on it.

From Science Daily • Jun. 9, 2026

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

Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi has been pushing for a space commission, as exists in Texas and Florida, but so far to no effect.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 4, 2025

Mother sighs, twists her brows to no effect.

From "Inside Out and Back Again" by Thanhha Lai

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