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to no purpose

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 effect 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 effect 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.

After 36 hours occupying a valuable bed to no purpose, I was released from hospital to go home for the night - although the paperwork for my release took four hours.

From BBC • Oct. 28, 2023

Each, in other words, triggered a massive hemorrhage of blood, treasure, and influence to no purpose whatsoever.

From Salon • Dec. 28, 2020

A most piteous petition was presented by the prisoners at Ross’s Landing to the Commanding officer at that place, but to no purpose.

From Slate • Feb. 10, 2019

And we have landed – I like to think by accident – on a technology that perpetuates it and amplifies it, occasionally productively, but more often to no purpose at all.

From The Guardian • May 16, 2018

Once he wakes up and grins so craftily that we are alarmed and begin to think he is cheating, and that we have given him the punch to no purpose.

From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque