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 • Mar. 25, 2026

At the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence, the staff tried in vain to save the program.

From Salon • Mar. 11, 2026

In vain in the end, but not forgotten.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

The last few hours were all in vain.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

I held up my hands in a vain attempt to stop this runaway train of thought.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall