unfruitful

adjective

un·​fruit·​ful ˌən-ˈfrüt-fəl How to pronounce unfruitful (audio)
Synonyms of unfruitfulnext
: not fruitful: such as
a
: not producing offspring : barren
b
: yielding no valuable result : unprofitable
an unfruitful conference
unfruitfully adverb
unfruitfulness noun

Examples of unfruitful in a Sentence

disappointed to discover that the mare was unfruitful
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After an unfruitful weekend of bargaining, Natomas educators are preparing to strike Tuesday as district leaders ready themselves to keep schools open for around 17,000 students without classroom teachers. Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 9 Mar. 2026 The question of whether artificial intelligence is or can ever be conscious remains unclear, but that does not mean the investigations have so far proved unfruitful. Theodore McDarrah, Forbes.com, 22 Feb. 2026 Rees’ only previous NFL play-calling experience was nine unfruitful games for the Browns last season under new Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski. Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 2 Feb. 2026 It’s been a mostly unfruitful quest that dates beyond even their most recent predecessors: Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas and Adam Gase and Mike Maccagnan and Todd Bowles and John Idzik and even Rex Ryan and Mike Tannenbaum. Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unfruitful

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unfruitful was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Unfruitful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unfruitful. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

unfruitful

adjective
un·​fruit·​ful ˌən-ˈfrüt-fəl How to pronounce unfruitful (audio)
1
: not bearing fruit or offspring
2
: not producing a desired result
unfruitful efforts

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