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Noun
Though there is still no fix for the mutation, the subsequent research spawned by the work of Fraumeni, Li, and other pioneers hasn’t been for naught.—
Lawrence Ingrassia,
STAT,
26 June 2026 Now, Lewis — who returned from a demotion to Triple A last Saturday — is demonstrating that those efforts might not have been for naught.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
13 June 2026 Even when the comeback seemed for naught when Stephon Castle was fouled after the Knicks had taken the lead and made two free throws to put San Antonio back ahead with 30 seconds left, the Knicks had one more rally in them.—
Tim Reynolds,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026 Even when the comeback seemed for naught when Stephon Castle was fouled after the Knicks had taken the lead and made two free throws to put the Spurs back ahead with 30 seconds left, the Knicks had one more rally in them.—
Brian Mahoney,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for naught
Word History
Etymology
Pronoun and Noun
Middle English nought, from Old English nāwiht, from nā no + wiht creature, thing — more at no, wight
First Known Use
Pronoun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of naught was
before the 12th century