BOOTLESS Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

bootless

adjective

ˈbüt-ləs

Definition of bootless

as in unsuccessful

producing no results a bootless effort to get tickets to the sold-out game

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for bootless

Adjective

As the unsuccessful regime-change effort in Iran demonstrated, there are no shortcuts to besting the axis countries, together or individually.

— Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026
Von Dohlen, a financial adviser and conservative activist who has run three unsuccessful campaigns for City Council, was unopposed in the Republican primary.

— Katie Bartlett, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of unsuccessful

Adjective

Adelaide’s music had become an argument, however futile, with finality.

— Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2026
Before the court fight was launched, Edwin Benn, the arbitrator who oversaw 2023 contract negotiations between the city and FOP, warned the City Council that any attempt to undermine his award to the union would be futile.

— Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of futile

Adjective

On Saturday, Durant reaffirmed his stance that the question of his and other superstars’ effort was an unavailing narrative to explore every February.

— Devon Henderson, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
The position advanced by the states is legally unavailing as a matter of longstanding and well-established law.

— WSJ, WSJ, 25 July 2018

Definition of unavailing

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.

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bootlegs

bootless

bootlessness

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“Bootless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bootless. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of bootless

adjective

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