1
as in unsuccessful
producing no results
this argument is totally fruitless, as neither of us will change our position
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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.
Recent Examples of fruitless
The video echos the lyrics through its otherworldly theme, as the camera cuts between scenes of Finneas filming against a green screen, his fruitless attempt to catch the eye of his director (Hudson), and the musician caught in a life-sized diorama of the solar system.
—
Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2025
While recent seasons have had pot-stirrers who manufacture fruitless drama just because (more on that for a later bracket), Irene has the goods to ruffle feathers just by being her natural self.
—Chris Feil, Vulture, 9 May 2025
Hours have passed on the boat, and again and again our casts have been fruitless.
—Boyce Upholt, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 June 2025
The paths for Iranian leaders are threefold: attempt to continue negotiations, seek to de-escalate the fighting with major concessions, possibly after a few demonstration attacks, or assume that negotiations with Trump and/or Netanyahu are fruitless and go all in on military retaliation.
—Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fruitless
Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2025
While recent seasons have had pot-stirrers who manufacture fruitless drama just because (more on that for a later bracket), Irene has the goods to ruffle feathers just by being her natural self.
—Chris Feil, Vulture, 9 May 2025
Hours have passed on the boat, and again and again our casts have been fruitless.
—Boyce Upholt, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 June 2025
The paths for Iranian leaders are threefold: attempt to continue negotiations, seek to de-escalate the fighting with major concessions, possibly after a few demonstration attacks, or assume that negotiations with Trump and/or Netanyahu are fruitless and go all in on military retaliation.
—Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fruitless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fruitless
Adjective
-
First responders also attempted to revive Riccardo, but were unsuccessful, the outlet added.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
12 July 2025
-
All attempts to resuscitate the man were unsuccessful, Park Service officials said.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Work and plans are changing what was once a barren landscape into a new neighborhood.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
29 June 2025
-
As the moon progresses through the different phases of the lunar calendar, the sun's light throws new impact sites, barren plains, and swathes of broken landscapes into relief as prime targets for amateur astronomers wielding binoculars and backyard telescopes.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
21 June 2025
Adjective
-
The regime’s tyrannical efforts to control and extinguish their savings were futile against their newfound freedom money.—
Mauricio Di Bartolomeo,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
The researchers said their findings should not suggest afforestation and carbon offsetting are futile.—
Hayley Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2025
Adjective
-
There will also be more space for the hospital's pharmacy, lab, sterile processing department and administrative and educational areas.—
Victoria Moorwood,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
-
The numbers need to be large enough that females in the wild can't help but hook up with sterile males for mating.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
The price signals are useless because the government prohibited them from being useful.—
The Editors,
National Review,
30 June 2025
-
The devices must also give consumers the option of deactivating such features, unless that action would render the device useless.—
Andrew Brown,
Hartford Courant,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
But his administration’s efforts, so far, have been unfruitful.—
Elizabeth Crisp,
The Hill,
23 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fruitless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fruitless. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share