1
as in unsuccessful
producing no results
this argument is totally fruitless, as neither of us will change our position
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in barren
not able to produce fruit or offspring
a stand of blighted, fruitless trees
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fruitless
Attempts by his mother and stepfather (Adam Tompa) to communicate with him are fruitless; various therapists and special schools have likewise come to naught.
—
Guy Lodge, Variety, 10 Aug. 2025
The frustration helped spawn the fruitless and wasteful 2021 attempt to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom — which cost taxpayers more than $200 million — and fuels the perennial fantasy of a breakaway rural state called Jefferson.
—Mark Barabak, Mercury News, 3 July 2025
Even after three innings and five fruitless at-bats with runners in scoring position, the Padres did not seem hopeless.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025
Newcastle view Wissa as Callum Wilson’s successor, rather than a replacement for Isak — and that has been communicated during as-of-yet fruitless negotiations — and the club were already seeking a forward before the uncertainty surrounding their star striker spilt out into the public.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for fruitless
Guy Lodge, Variety, 10 Aug. 2025
The frustration helped spawn the fruitless and wasteful 2021 attempt to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom — which cost taxpayers more than $200 million — and fuels the perennial fantasy of a breakaway rural state called Jefferson.
—Mark Barabak, Mercury News, 3 July 2025
Even after three innings and five fruitless at-bats with runners in scoring position, the Padres did not seem hopeless.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025
Newcastle view Wissa as Callum Wilson’s successor, rather than a replacement for Isak — and that has been communicated during as-of-yet fruitless negotiations — and the club were already seeking a forward before the uncertainty surrounding their star striker spilt out into the public.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for fruitless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fruitless
Adjective
-
As in the first case, life-saving efforts were unsuccessful.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
18 Aug. 2025
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Although previous appeals have been unsuccessful, Arias has consistently expressed a desire to overturn her conviction.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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For the visual effects supervisors who were tasked with bringing the arctic horrors to life, their challenge was adding depth and value to a barren landscape.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
18 Aug. 2025
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Deep in the interior lies Askja, a vast volcanic caldera surrounded by a barren lava desert.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Bodyguard of Lies, an investigation into the United States’ bloody, costly, and ultimately futile war in Afghanistan, will open theatrically for a limited run in New York on September 12, before bowing on the Paramount+ platform on Sept. 23.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
13 Aug. 2025
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But given the likely futile nature of the Braves' remaining games at that point, he might unofficially be done for the year.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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Combatting the screwworm The U.S. Department of Agriculture will build a facility in Texas, the largest cattle-producing state, that will produce sterile flies to try and keep the flies' population from growing.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
26 Aug. 2025
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Rollins said the facility will be completed by the end of 2025, allowing USDA to aerially disperse sterile male flies at the border and northern Mexico to mate with wild female flies, resulting in no offspring.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Likewise, even the best dashboard is useless if your team doesn't use it.—
Ramachander Rao Thallada,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
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One newspaper here calling the summit, sickening, shameful, and, in the end, useless.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Given his laborious and unfruitful season thus far, fans began speculating that Hamilton could potentially retire or move back to Mercedes, due to his current issues.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Aug. 2025
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From Sonos’ side, this could just be a logical conclusion to a somewhat unfruitful partnership with mid-tier products that the brand itself increasingly competes directly with.—
Parker Hall,
Wired News,
7 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fruitless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fruitless. Accessed 1 Sep. 2025.
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