as in futile
producing no results
an unsuccessful attempt to fix the faucet ourselves
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 unsuccessful
Although Jelly Roll and Orton were ultimately unsuccessful in securing the victory, Roll's performance in the match received positive attention.
—
Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Officers then tried to subdue him with less-lethal beanbag rounds and a K-9 unit, but those attempts were unsuccessful.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025
During a search of the fast-food chain, officers found a delivery driver unresponsive before he was pronounced dead at the scene following unsuccessful medical aid, officials said.
—Paloma Chavez, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025
But these efforts were unsuccessful.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsuccessful
Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Officers then tried to subdue him with less-lethal beanbag rounds and a K-9 unit, but those attempts were unsuccessful.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025
During a search of the fast-food chain, officers found a delivery driver unresponsive before he was pronounced dead at the scene following unsuccessful medical aid, officials said.
—Paloma Chavez, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025
But these efforts were unsuccessful.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsuccessful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsuccessful
Adjective
-
Understanding each other is futile.—
Jake Coyle,
Boston Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The court fights all proved futile, however.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Sarah has a useless husband and a useless job.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Lavin bought hard copies of the AI knockoffs of her book, and wasn’t surprised to find that each was useless in its own way.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Even as Nintendo has endlessly mined its classic consoles for nostalgic re-releases in recent decades, the company has seemed to completely ignore the existence of the Virtual Boy—its abortive 1990s dip into the world of early virtual reality.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Our main girl, Diva, is a diva down, forced into abortive encounters with the A.I. that stands, literally, between the goods and services supportive of her everyday life.—
Lauren Michele Jackson,
New Yorker,
23 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unsuccessful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsuccessful. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share