Definitions

vain

[veyn] / veɪn /

ADJECTIVE

egotistical

Synonyms

STRONGEST

arrogant cocky

WEAK

big-headed boastful conceited egocentric egoistic haughty high-and-mighty inflated narcissistic ostentatious overweening pleased with oneself proud puffed up self-important stuck-up swaggering swollen-headed vainglorious

Antonyms

STRONGEST

humble

WEAK

modest possible shy

ADJECTIVE

futile, useless

Synonyms

STRONGEST

frivolous fruitless petty trivial

WEAK

abortive barren bootless delusive delusory empty going nowhere hollow idle in vicious circle inefficacious insignificant misleading no-win not a prayer nugatory on a treadmill otiose paltry pointless profitless puny senseless shuck slight sterile time-wasting trifling unavailing unimportant unnotable unproductive unprofitable valueless void worthless

Antonyms

STRONGEST

consequential important significant useful

WEAK

modest possible shy

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.

“To know that it may all have been in vain is heartbreaking,” Mbara said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Increasingly I was spending the days as I did the nights, tossing on the thin straw pallet trying in vain to find a position in which all aches at once were eased.

From Literature

But Harper's salvo proved to be in vain as Venezuela regained the lead in the ninth inning, punishing a shaky performance from US reliever Garrett Whitlock to clinch victory.

From Barron's

I strained in vain to hear the direction the meeting was taking.

From Literature

‘Put them down!’ yelled Renn, leaping at him and trying in vain to reach her bow.

From Literature

vain

Example Sentences

Related Words