Synonym Chooser

How is the word otiose distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of otiose are empty, hollow, idle, nugatory, and vain. While all these words mean "being without worth or significance," otiose suggests that something serves no purpose and is either an encumbrance or a superfluity.

a film without a single otiose scene

How do empty and hollow relate to one another, in the sense of otiose?

Both empty and hollow suggest a deceiving lack of real substance or soundness or genuineness.

an empty attempt at reconciliation
a hollow victory

When might idle be a better fit than otiose?

The synonyms idle and otiose are sometimes interchangeable, but idle suggests being incapable of worthwhile use or effect.

idle speculations

When is it sensible to use nugatory instead of otiose?

Although the words nugatory and otiose have much in common, nugatory suggests triviality or insignificance.

a monarch with nugatory powers

When could vain be used to replace otiose?

The words vain and otiose are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vain implies either absolute or relative absence of value.

vain promises

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for otiose
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
  • Life-saving efforts were unsuccessful and the man was pronounced dead at the scene, said Officer Anthony Gamble, a Sacramento Police Department spokesperson.
    The Sacramento Bee, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2025
  • Attempts to impeach Pashinyan, who came to power in 2018, were unsuccessful.
    Avet Demourian, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 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
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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Cite this Entry

“Otiose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/otiose. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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