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
First responders attempted life-saving measures but were unsuccessful.
—
Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 4 Feb. 2026
After an unsuccessful search around her Tucson residence, the siblings called in authorities.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Feb. 2026
Attempts to reach his family members were unsuccessful Tuesday night.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 4 Feb. 2026
Morris herself tried to move apartments several months ago, but was unsuccessful in her search.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsuccessful
Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 4 Feb. 2026
After an unsuccessful search around her Tucson residence, the siblings called in authorities.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Feb. 2026
Attempts to reach his family members were unsuccessful Tuesday night.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 4 Feb. 2026
Morris herself tried to move apartments several months ago, but was unsuccessful in her search.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsuccessful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsuccessful
Adjective
-
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
-
But other professors, perhaps concluding that resistance is futile, are adjusting to the media their students grew up on.—
Rose Horowitch,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
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 9 Feb. 2026.
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