vain

At his purposes with regard to the relations of England and Normandy it would be vain to guess.

In vain my mother took a world of trouble to explain the thing to me.

I learned later that he had implored the Superior on his knees not to lay this dreadful command upon him, but all in vain.

But I have wrestled with misfortune in vain; I have struggled with want, till want has overcome me.

A request for whiskey addressed to a car containing a dozen men accustomed to wrest metals from the earth was not in vain.

On the 20th of March of that year the exile of Elba made an appeal to all faithful soldiers, and it was not made in vain.

In vain he pleaded, in caressing undertones, that she should ride with him.

Nine months passed, and still I never could strike a certain blow—but he who waits for vengeanee seldom waits in vain.

I tried in vain to make this officer understand that monsieur was very sick.

I tried to recall my theory, and to close my eyes to the pathetic beauty of the face before me; but it was altogether in vain.