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
But — at least so far — those pursuits have been unsuccessful, an agency spokesperson told the Idaho Statesman.
—
Kevin Fixler
april 29, Idaho Statesman, 29 Apr. 2026
Initial rescue attempts using inflatable boats and firefighter drones to guide the whale back out to sea were unsuccessful.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Steyer has spent more than $62 million on California ballot measures, including an unsuccessful effort in 2020 to keep a law that eliminated cash bail.
—Sophie Austin, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
After two unsuccessful landing attempts at the Grozny airport, the pilots decided to return to Baku.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsuccessful
Kevin Fixler
april 29, Idaho Statesman, 29 Apr. 2026
Initial rescue attempts using inflatable boats and firefighter drones to guide the whale back out to sea were unsuccessful.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Steyer has spent more than $62 million on California ballot measures, including an unsuccessful effort in 2020 to keep a law that eliminated cash bail.
—Sophie Austin, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
After two unsuccessful landing attempts at the Grozny airport, the pilots decided to return to Baku.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsuccessful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsuccessful
Adjective
-
But although resistance is similarly futile, their goals are less about assimilation than worshipping the obsessive Grant's wife, Starla (Elizabeth Banks).—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
1 May 2026
-
His father was a schoolteacher and a member of the Nazi Party; Baselitz, who was seven at the cessation of World War II, would later recall the smoke rising from firebombed Dresden as his mother hurried her children through the city in a futile attempt to escape the Russians.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
From certain side sections, the rear screen was nearly useless.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Technically impressive, yes—but scientifically and commercially useless.—
Magnus Resch,
ARTnews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Six of the album’s tracks began in abortive sessions in the 2010s with Patti Smith Group bassist Tony Shanahan.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The Chinese duo’s voices pirouette around a pulse that sounds like a car door chime as abortive crashes puncture the otherwise placid, kickless ambience.—
James Gui,
Pitchfork,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unsuccessful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsuccessful. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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