as in futile
producing no results
an unsuccessful attempt to fix the faucet ourselves
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unsuccessful
Working in a ‘broken’ system Establishing such a commission today would risk replicating the unsuccessful efforts of the 2010 Simpson-Bowles Commission, the report warned.
—
Tristan Bove, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
But in recent years, the Yankees’ unsuccessful pursuits of Sasaki and Yoshinobu Yamamoto highlighted how the Los Angeles Dodgers have become the most attractive team for Japanese stars.
—Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
With settlement talks unsuccessful and a trial two months away, RiNo’s Source Hotel claims to have security footage showing its neighbor is still sending dangerous dust its way.
—Justin Wingerter, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
Each unsuccessful treatment takes, and wastes, precious time.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsuccessful
Tristan Bove, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
But in recent years, the Yankees’ unsuccessful pursuits of Sasaki and Yoshinobu Yamamoto highlighted how the Los Angeles Dodgers have become the most attractive team for Japanese stars.
—Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
With settlement talks unsuccessful and a trial two months away, RiNo’s Source Hotel claims to have security footage showing its neighbor is still sending dangerous dust its way.
—Justin Wingerter, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
Each unsuccessful treatment takes, and wastes, precious time.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsuccessful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsuccessful
Adjective
-
And after decades of futile wishes, maybe the place is finally ready for a new life — not today, not tomorrow, but in a few feverish years.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
10 Feb. 2026
-
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
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
-
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
-
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 20 Feb. 2026.
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