as in futile
producing no results
an unsuccessful attempt to fix the faucet ourselves
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Recent Examples of unsuccessful
While the Comets had more opportunities in the fourth, with several efforts barely missing, their comeback effort was unsuccessful.
—
Nathan Dunn, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
But simply by claiming some relationship with ISIS, perpetrators can spin a largely unsuccessful act into something grander and more terrifying.
—Juliette Kayyem, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2026
Attempts to reach spokespeople connected with the effort were unsuccessful Monday night.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Efforts to reach Balat and Kayumi's families in person and by phone were unsuccessful.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsuccessful
Nathan Dunn, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
But simply by claiming some relationship with ISIS, perpetrators can spin a largely unsuccessful act into something grander and more terrifying.
—Juliette Kayyem, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2026
Attempts to reach spokespeople connected with the effort were unsuccessful Monday night.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Efforts to reach Balat and Kayumi's families in person and by phone were unsuccessful.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsuccessful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsuccessful
Adjective
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Even with the spotlight, Méndez said the debate feels futile.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
14 Mar. 2026
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Even subtle futile cycles – processes in which molecules are repeatedly built and broken down – consume energy and generate heat.—
Claudio Villanueva,
The Conversation,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Five-day forecasts are virtually useless, as is our comfort level that the very worst of winter is behind us.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
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The screenplay also has a passing reference to Evy’s useless, off-screen boyfriend Darren (voiced by Ryan Turner).—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In October, the Miami Herald reported on abortive negotiations — also involving Qatar — in which Rodríguez proposed leading a transitional government if Maduro agreed to step aside and retire to a prearranged safe haven.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
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The social media profiles of some Moran personnel also show they were linked to Wagner, which was effectively liquidated after its then boss Yevgeny Prigozhin launched an abortive revolt in Russia in 2023.—
Saskya Vandoorne,
CNN Money,
18 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unsuccessful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsuccessful. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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