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

Storming a podium at a meeting of academics is a pointless performative act. — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026

The behaviors run the full range, from tiny tweaks like stashing the phone across the room, killing pointless notifications and blocking off screen-free stretches, all the way to full-day commitments to unplug. — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2026

Descano’s team has claimed prosecutions are pointless when the government’s own experts corroborate the insanity defense, while critics say his office is too quick to accept defendants’ narratives without a jury. — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2026

The ‘enhanced’ access to players and managers in the Premier League has been, for the most part, pointless. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 14 Sep. 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