vainly
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.
Writing in newspaper Canard Enchaine, Fabrice Colin also criticised the formulaic sentence structure and said he "vainly looked for a unique voice" in the prose.
From Barron's ● Sep. 25, 2026
Even as he struggles vainly in Ukraine, Mr. Putin has been forced to watch the decline of Russian influence in Europe.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 4, 2026
England found some late urgency as they vainly chased the game.
From BBC ● Mar. 7, 2026
It is not to dash all our energy against a wave that’s not yet spent, trying vainly to roll it back to yesterday.
From Salon ● May 1, 2025
Or: “The child’s clumsy fingers fumbled in sleep, feeling vainly for the wish of its dream.”
From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright
