vainly

This week, as he struggles vainly against the rising tide of accountability, we’ve seen writ large across the national stage to what lengths his fear will lead him.

I soon learned that it’s impossible to tug on the “ropes” of sails with just the tips of my fingers to vainly try to protect my fresh mani.

It is not to dash all our energy against a wave that’s not yet spent, trying vainly to roll it back to yesterday.

He watched neighbors come into his backyard and vainly battle the flames.

But Trump wants to be Trump, free from the discipline his aides have sought vainly to impose.