meaningless

adjective

mean·​ing·​less ˈmē-niŋ-ləs 

1

: having no meaning

especially : lacking any significance

felt his work was meaningless

2

: having no assigned function in a language system

meaninglessly adverb

meaninglessness noun

Synonyms of meaningless

• pointless
• absurd
• stupid
• inane
• silly
• irrational
• empty
• foolish

Examples of meaningless in a Sentence

He felt that his work was meaningless.

The movie was filled with meaningless violence.

Recent Examples on the Web

Jared Sternberg, founder of Gondwana Ecotours, argues that comparing Alaska to Phoenix is meaningless. — Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026

Sure, Thursday’s Pro Football Hall of Fame game between the Panthers and Arizona Cardinals was nothing more than a meaningless exhibition in which few, if any, actual starters played. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026

What to read next North America gets a smaller event, but not a meaningless one. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 7 Aug. 2026

What’s worse, the countdown clock that gave Braun’s screenplay its propulsive feel becomes almost meaningless onscreen. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

meaningless

adjective

mean·​ing·​less ˈmē-niŋ-ləs 

1

: having no meaning or significance

meaningless chatter

2

: lacking motive

a meaningless murder

meaninglessly adverb

meaninglessness noun