as in futile
producing no results
an unsuccessful attempt to fix the faucet ourselves
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Recent Examples of unsuccessful
If the call stands, the challenge is unsuccessful and the team loses that challenge.
—
Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
An attempt in December to seat a jury in the case was unsuccessful.
—Emerson Clarridge
updated March 25, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026
An unsuccessful appeal without an available timeout results in a technical foul and two free throws and possession for the opponent.
—ABC News, 25 Mar. 2026
Efforts to reach Scheublin were unsuccessful.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsuccessful
Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
An attempt in December to seat a jury in the case was unsuccessful.
—Emerson Clarridge
updated March 25, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026
An unsuccessful appeal without an available timeout results in a technical foul and two free throws and possession for the opponent.
—ABC News, 25 Mar. 2026
Efforts to reach Scheublin were unsuccessful.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsuccessful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsuccessful
Adjective
-
Catcher Logan O’Hoppe picked it up and then threw it away in a futile attempt to get the out at first.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The latter, a wry comedy of futile endeavor, was based on a story by Kiarostami, but Haghighi soon sought to shake off Kiarostami’s influence—and, even more, a prevailing caricature of Iranian cinema that Kiarostami’s style had given rise to.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Bernadine appeared to be useless—or, worse, a potential double agent.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Sending your resume into the void has never felt more useless.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In October, the Miami Herald reported on abortive negotiations — also involving Qatar — in which Rodríguez proposed leading a transitional government if Maduro agreed to step aside and retire to a prearranged safe haven.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
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The social media profiles of some Moran personnel also show they were linked to Wagner, which was effectively liquidated after its then boss Yevgeny Prigozhin launched an abortive revolt in Russia in 2023.—
Saskya Vandoorne,
CNN Money,
18 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unsuccessful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsuccessful. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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