to no purpose

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futile adj.
unavailing adj.

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.

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to no purpose

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 petition on their behalf couched in the most earnest and respectful and submissive terms was presented to him, 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

It is to no purpose, they come back without him.

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

to no purpose

Example Sentences

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