useless

adjective

use·​less ˈyüs-ləs 

: having or being of no use:

a

: ineffectual

a useless attempt

b

: not able to give service or aid : inept

uselessly adverb

uselessness noun

Synonyms

• impracticable
• impractical
• inoperable
• nonpractical
• unserviceable
• unusable
• unworkable

Examples of useless in a Sentence

The tent is useless in wet conditions.

I made a useless attempt at fixing the leak.

Drugs are useless in treating the condition.

Recent Examples on the Web

In one sense, Henry is the kind of useless man who creates hard times with his own passivity. —Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 30 Apr. 2025

Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin Like many a controversial Y2K trend, the useless hip belt has made its way back into the sartorial zeitgeist with trendsetters like Emily Ratajkowski and Dua Lipa reviving the aesthetic in recent seasons. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 24 Apr. 2025

Rolling up to a deserted Spenser Ranch with what will turn out to be a useless warrant, Bern and Eleanda inspect the sheds. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025

Once the borer has entered the stem, insecticides are useless. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

useless

adjective

use·​less ˈyüs-ləs 

: having or being of no use

uselessly adverb

uselessness noun