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
Both teams had early, fruitless power plays, and both teams had scoring chances that just barely didn’t pan out.
—
Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 22 Dec. 2025
But in the end, all efforts proved fruitless.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Dec. 2025
Yet as Blue Devils guard Caleb Foster gathered the ball from Fland’s grasp, over two hours of clawing proved fruitless.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 3 Dec. 2025
Multiple search operations for the plane have been conducted since then but all proved fruitless.
—Reuters, NBC news, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fruitless
Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 22 Dec. 2025
But in the end, all efforts proved fruitless.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Dec. 2025
Yet as Blue Devils guard Caleb Foster gathered the ball from Fland’s grasp, over two hours of clawing proved fruitless.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 3 Dec. 2025
Multiple search operations for the plane have been conducted since then but all proved fruitless.
—Reuters, NBC news, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fruitless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fruitless
Adjective
-
The 49ers went three and out on their next two possessions and were unsuccessful on throws outside the numbers after hitting the middle of the field with three completions on the scoring drive.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Efforts to find footage of what happened on social media and through surveillance cameras have been unsuccessful.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In the 19th century, guano miners razed the place, removing most of the topsoil and leaving behind barren rock.—
Susan Casey,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
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The next two teams on this list find themselves in eerily similar situations, from barren rosters to enviable cap space to hope at the quarterback position.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Their effort to find a home in Overtown seemed futile until Miami-Dade County Commissioner Keon Hardemon, who grew up in Liberty City, conceived a brilliant idea.—
Dorothy Jenkins Fields,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
But the rally felt less threatening than futile.—
Zach Fisch,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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This makes your home feel intentional and personal instead of sterile and unoriginal.—
Ashlyn Needham,
The Spruce,
8 Jan. 2026
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Many japonica camellias, in the manner of other botanical hybrids, are sterile with their yellow, thread-like stamens and stigmas either absent or invisible.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Brown’s statement on Monday was mostly useless corporate-speak.—
Paul Dehner Jr,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
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This tiny amount of copper acts as a molecular steering wheel, preventing sugar molecules from shattering into useless carbon dioxide.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Mitchell spent 10 years preaching, racking up unfruitful notes from church growth conferences, and eventually started struggling with depression.—
Charlotte Kramon,
Fortune,
7 Dec. 2025
-
Its lease had run out, and negotiations proved unfruitful.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fruitless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fruitless. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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