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

Carlsson had been pointless in nine of his 10 previous games. —Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 27 Jan. 2026

Herzog, narrating in his distinctive delivery, notes that any human intervention to rescue the bird would be pointless, and would only delay the penguin’s suicidal pilgrimage. —Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026

As for the future of particle physics, AI makes worrying about it now rather pointless, in Kaplan’s view. —Quanta Magazine, 26 Jan. 2026

Heitinga was dismissed as head coach in November, with Ajax sitting pointless at the bottom of the Champions League table after four matches and eight points adrift of Eredivisie league-leaders Feyenoord. —Elias Burke, New York Times, 24 Jan. 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