Definition of fruitlessnext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fruitless different from other adjectives like it?

The words futile and vain are common synonyms of fruitless. While all three words mean "producing no result," fruitless comes close to vain but often suggests long and arduous effort or severe disappointment.

fruitless efforts to obtain a lasting peace

When might futile be a better fit than fruitless?

The words futile and fruitless are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, futile may connote completeness of failure or unwisdom of undertaking.

resistance had proved so futile that surrender was the only choice left

When can vain be used instead of fruitless?

The words vain and fruitless can be used in similar contexts, but vain usually implies simple failure to achieve a desired result.

a vain attempt to get the car started

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fruitless With Disney’s stranglehold on the market, such investments might be fruitless. HubSpot, 1 June 2026 Oh, and sure, his impact on Wolves’ season was fleeting and ultimately fruitless. Steve Madeley, New York Times, 28 May 2026 One kidney specialist, who requested anonymity to discuss their use of a tool that had not been explicitly approved by their hospital system, said that OpenEvidence regularly saved them 30 minutes of fruitless searching through older systems — including UpToDate. Jared Perlo, NBC news, 13 May 2026 The meeting was fruitless, with both sides pointing fingers at each other for the failure to reach a deal. Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for fruitless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fruitless
Adjective
  • There were certainly many unsuccessful fits and starts.
    Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
  • Pearson said multiple attempts by Fish and Game to trap the bear were unsuccessful.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 18 June 2026
Adjective
  • Perhaps more interesting still are the hundreds of barren whale remains that the researchers saw during their dives.
    Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 10 June 2026
  • In a barren free-agent class, though, that’s much easier said than done.
    Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Adjective
  • Fahd, cradling his bloodied baby, pressing his hand to Sam’s head in a futile attempt to staunch the bleeding.
    Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
  • The suit recounts the rapid deterioration — and futile attempts to salvage — what for a long time had been a mutually beneficial professional and artistic partnership.
    Mary Carole McCauley, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
Adjective
  • That was eradicated a decade later only with the help of sterile flies, as the US and Mexico scaled up production to as many as 500 million insects a week.
    Ilena Peng, Fortune, 13 June 2026
  • For shoppers chasing a fragrance that feels personal rather than sterile, 2026 is shaping up as the year of the bee.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 June 2026
Adjective
  • This playful fourish, although useless in terms of timekeeping, requires 200 of the 646 components in the watch and two engineers had to work simultaneously to ensure the face shield and the movement operated in harmony.
    Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 12 June 2026
  • Some of us choose to stay away from X, Instagram and the like, so posting a bunch of screenshots with links to additional story info on social media apps is useless.
    Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026
Adjective
  • Or that Salieri once masturbated over his beloved piano in an unfruitful attempt to cure his writer’s block.
    Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 8 May 2026
  • After an unfruitful weekend of bargaining, Natomas educators are preparing to strike Tuesday as district leaders ready themselves to keep schools open for around 17,000 students without classroom teachers.
    Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 9 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fruitless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fruitless. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

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