in vain

phrase

1

: to no end : without success or result

her efforts were in vain

2

: in an irreverent or blasphemous manner

Being a religion writer, I have always tried to avoid using the Lord's name in vain. I have not always succeeded.

—Don Lattin

see also take in vain

Examples of in vain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As Liverpool battled in vain to find a late winner against Forest, Gakpo was as animated as anyone on the touchline after Rio Ngumoha came off the bench to replace him. — James Pearce, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Doesn't the drone have cameras or sensors to detect when someone is trying in vain to retrieve the payload? — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Jude Bellingham’s two goals on Saturday in England’s 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal matchup against Norway were certainly not in vain. — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 12 July 2026

The announcement came a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Balochistan's capital, Quetta, and told the families of 42 people killed in the attacks that their sacrifices were not in vain and those responsible would be brought to justice. — ABC News, 10 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for in vain

• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
• arcane
• arraign
• attain
• backplane
• betaine
• biplane
• blockchain
• butane
• campaign