Synonyms of vain

vain

adjective

ˈvān 

1

as in smug

having too high an opinion of oneself

a man so vain that he spent hours admiring himself in the mirror

Synonyms & Similar Words

• smug
• proud
• arrogant
• vainglorious
• conceited
• selfish
• important
• egotistic
• domineering
• egoistic
• self-important
• pompous
• complacent
• prideful
• confident
• bigheaded
• self-conceited
• self-satisfied
• biggety
• boastful
• assured
• stuck-up
• overweening
• consequential
• supercilious
• swellheaded
• haughty
• cocky
• bombastic
• snobbish
• cavalier
• self-opinionated
• blusterous
• high-and-mighty
• bumptious
• uppish
• snobby
• pretentious
• braggy
• masterful
• snooty
• blustery
• bragging
• braggart
• swaggering
• chesty
• toplofty
• pontifical
• disdainful
• uppity
• assumptive
• presumptuous
• holier-than-thou
• superior
• high-handed
• fastuous
• overconfident
• self-assertive
• huffy
• imperious
• lofty
• self-confident
• presuming
• self-centered
• self-assured
• high-hat
• peremptory
• patronizing
• lordly
• condescending
• highfalutin
• self-contented
• self-asserting
• self-glorifying
• self-dramatizing
• self-promoting
• self-congratulatory
• self-engrossed
• self-affected
• self-gratulatory
• self-adulatory
• self-applauding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• humble
• modest
• timid
• diffident
• egoless
• meek
• self-critical
• unassertive
• uncomplacent
• unassuming
• self-doubting
• unpretentious
• self-reproachful
• bashful
• sheepish
• down-to-earth
• shy
• self-distrustful
• shrinking
• self-reproving
• mousy
• introverted
• demure
• retiring
• overmodest
• unarrogant

2

as in futile

producing no results

all their efforts to escape proved vain

Synonyms & Similar Words

• futile
• unsuccessful
• useless
• in vain
• unavailing
• fruitless
• abortive
• unprofitable
• ineffective
• ineffectual
• impossible
• unproductive
• insufficient
• profitless
• worthless
• of no avail
• bootless
• meaningless
• inadequate
• barren
• empty
• inefficacious
• otiose
• not worth the candle
• no dice
• pointless
• hollow
• valueless
• idle
• lost
• hopeless
• lacking
• unattainable
• counterproductive
• wanting
• no-win

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• successful
• effective
• efficient
• virtuous
• profitable
• fruitful
• productive
• deadly
• worthwhile
• sufficient
• potent
• meaningful
• adequate
• effectual
• efficacious
• practical
• feasible
• applicable
• functional
• workable
• practicable
• usable
• realizable

3

as in worthless

having no usefulness

having tired of the vain pleasures of life in the fast lane, he returned to the small town he had grown up in

Synonyms & Similar Words

• worthless
• empty
• cheap
• valueless
• flawed
• no-good
• bad
• null
• imperfect
• inadequate
• chaffy
• junky
• insufficient
• defective
• inferior
• unsatisfactory
• unacceptable
• lousy
• base
• low-grade
• cheapjack
• substandard
• deficient
• duff
• second-rate
• dud

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• worthy
• valuable
• useful
• precious
• invaluable
• priceless
• special
• fancy
• exceptional
• cherished
• esteemed
• choice
• prized
• treasured
• high-grade

Synonym Chooser

How is the word vain distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of vain are empty, hollow, idle, nugatory, and otiose. While all these words mean "being without worth or significance," vain implies either absolute or relative absence of value.

vain promises

How are the words empty and hollow related as synonyms of vain?

Both empty and hollow suggest a deceiving lack of real substance or soundness or genuineness.

an empty attempt at reconciliation

a hollow victory

When is it sensible to use idle instead of vain?

The synonyms idle and vain are sometimes interchangeable, but idle suggests being incapable of worthwhile use or effect.

idle speculations

When would nugatory be a good substitute for vain?

In some situations, the words nugatory and vain are roughly equivalent. However, nugatory suggests triviality or insignificance.

a monarch with nugatory powers

In what contexts can otiose take the place of vain?

The words otiose and vain can be used in similar contexts, but otiose suggests that something serves no purpose and is either an encumbrance or a superfluity.

a film without a single otiose scene

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of vain

Indeed, the Abbé pontificates on pretty much every topic known to man as the pair try in vain to tunnel their way to freedom. —Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026

There’s a version in which Zoro has a vain desire to be remembered. —Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 17 Mar. 2026

All her years playing cops were not in vain, though. —Kemi Alemoru, Glamour, 14 Mar. 2026

In her final words, a Bronx mother cops say was stabbed to death by her longtime boyfriend apologized to her children — who witnessed her bloody slaying and tried in vain to stop it. —Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 2 Mar. 2026

Phrases Containing vain

• in vain