fruitless

adjective

fruit·​less ˈfrüt-ləs 

1

: unsuccessful

a fruitless attempt

2

: lacking or not bearing fruit

fruitlessly adverb

fruitlessness noun

Synonyms

• unsuccessful
• futile
• useless

Choose the Right Synonym for fruitless

futile, vain, fruitless mean producing no result.

futile may connote completeness of failure or unwisdom of undertaking.

resistance had proved so futile that surrender was the only choice left

vain usually implies simple failure to achieve a desired result.

a vain attempt to get the car started

fruitless comes close to vain but often suggests long and arduous effort or severe disappointment.

fruitless efforts to obtain a lasting peace

Examples of fruitless in a Sentence

They made a fruitless attempt to find a solution.

It would be fruitless to continue.

Recent Examples on the Web

Attempts by his mother and stepfather (Adam Tompa) to communicate with him are fruitless; various therapists and special schools have likewise come to naught. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 10 Aug. 2025

The frustration helped spawn the fruitless and wasteful 2021 attempt to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom — which cost taxpayers more than $200 million — and fuels the perennial fantasy of a breakaway rural state called Jefferson. —Mark Barabak, Mercury News, 3 July 2025

Even after three innings and five fruitless at-bats with runners in scoring position, the Padres did not seem hopeless. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025

Newcastle view Wissa as Callum Wilson’s successor, rather than a replacement for Isak — and that has been communicated during as-of-yet fruitless negotiations — and the club were already seeking a forward before the uncertainty surrounding their star striker spilt out into the public. —James McNicholas, New York Times, 29 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fruytles, frutles, from fruyt, frut fruit entry 1 + -les -less

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for fruitless

• bootless
• rootless

Kids Definition

fruitless

adjective

fruit·​less ˈfrüt-ləs 

1

: not bearing fruit

2

: producing no good results : unsuccessful

a fruitless attempt

fruitlessly adverb

fruitlessness noun