pointless

adjective

point·​less ˈpȯint-ləs 

1

: devoid of meaning : senseless

a pointless remark

2

: devoid of effectiveness : flat

pointless attempts to be funny

pointlessly adverb

pointlessness noun

Synonyms of pointless

• meaningless

Examples of pointless in a Sentence

It would be pointless for us to continue the investigation.

a pointless remark that left everyone scratching their heads in confusion

Recent Examples on the Web

Still, Kucherov has gone pointless in two consecutive games with so much on the line. —Arpon Basu, New York Times, 3 May 2026

New York’s Constitution forbids that and trying to change it for 2028 is pointless. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 3 May 2026

If the whale dies at sea, their work may seem pointless in retrospect. —Jessica Camille Aguirre, New Yorker, 2 May 2026

Kimbrough has spent much of his time working on the property, but now the remaining projects — landscaping, finishing the basement — seem pointless to pursue. —Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 1 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1673, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

pointless

adjective

point·​less ˈpȯint-ləs 

1

: lacking meaning : senseless

a pointless remark

2

: ineffective sense 1

pointless attempts to be funny

pointlessly adverb

pointlessness noun