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
Navigating the city’s shelter system alone can be dispiriting and fruitless.
—
Saumya Roy, The Dial, 6 Jan. 2026
After five fruitless drives, Cameron Dicker's 30-yard field goal with 3 seconds left in the second quarter pulled the Chargers to 10-3 at halftime.
—CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
In another world, the Spaniard would likely be the favourite for this job despite his ultimately fruitless time at Arsenal.
—Peter South, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for fruitless
Saumya Roy, The Dial, 6 Jan. 2026
After five fruitless drives, Cameron Dicker's 30-yard field goal with 3 seconds left in the second quarter pulled the Chargers to 10-3 at halftime.
—CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
In another world, the Spaniard would likely be the favourite for this job despite his ultimately fruitless time at Arsenal.
—Peter South, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for fruitless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fruitless
Adjective
-
These therapies are not universally successful, of course, but can often save lives and defeat cancers where other methods are unsuccessful.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Symptoms include cravings, unsuccessful quit attempts, tolerance and withdrawal.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
In 2016, a team led by Su Yinquan, dean of forestry at Northwest A&F University, leased 14 hectares of barren Gobi land in Xinjiang to test whether Duzhong could survive and grow there.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Jan. 2026
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The president cites national security concerns—despite existing approvals to expand militarily—and the potentially rich natural resources on the icy, largely barren territory.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The metallic sheets cannot stop the damage Echard seeks to impose on her canvases, much like those tinfoil hats that some use in confused, futile efforts to shield themselves from pernicious invisible forces.—
Theo Belci,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
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But other professors, perhaps concluding that resistance is futile, are adjusting to the media their students grew up on.—
Rose Horowitch,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Musicals and medicine seem like opposite ends of the spectrum — one is about spotlight and song, the other about science and sterile environments.—
Julie Ruth Owen,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
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That structure was built in the 1950s and feels sterile and outdated.—
Bebe Hodges,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Homeowners and residents are baffled by the attacks upon their beautiful — but otherwise seemingly useless — plants.—
Tribune News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
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My deep cynicism thinks this was a diabolical plan to herd young people toward expensive, and somewhat useless, college degrees.—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
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 3 Feb. 2026.
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