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 The video echos the lyrics through its otherworldly theme, as the camera cuts between scenes of Finneas filming against a green screen, his fruitless attempt to catch the eye of his director (Hudson), and the musician caught in a life-sized diorama of the solar system. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2025 While recent seasons have had pot-stirrers who manufacture fruitless drama just because (more on that for a later bracket), Irene has the goods to ruffle feathers just by being her natural self. Chris Feil, Vulture, 9 May 2025 Hours have passed on the boat, and again and again our casts have been fruitless. Boyce Upholt, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 June 2025 The paths for Iranian leaders are threefold: attempt to continue negotiations, seek to de-escalate the fighting with major concessions, possibly after a few demonstration attacks, or assume that negotiations with Trump and/or Netanyahu are fruitless and go all in on military retaliation. Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for fruitless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fruitless
Adjective
  • First responders also attempted to revive Riccardo, but were unsuccessful, the outlet added.
    Toria Sheffield, People.com, 12 July 2025
  • All attempts to resuscitate the man were unsuccessful, Park Service officials said.
    Julia Gomez, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • The jetliner heading to Nairobi lost control shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and nose-dived into a barren patch of land.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 13 July 2025
  • Bandits, raiders, and more monsters crawl the barren landscape.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • Go with the flow, but not toward the beach: Trying to swim directly toward the beach when caught in a rip current is futile and exhausting.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 6 July 2025
  • This group saw military responses as futile, as Iran was assumed to have escalation dominance.
    JAMES JEFFREY, Foreign Affairs, 4 July 2025
Adjective
  • There will also be more space for the hospital's pharmacy, lab, sterile processing department and administrative and educational areas.
    Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
  • The numbers need to be large enough that females in the wild can't help but hook up with sterile males for mating.
    CBS News, CBS News, 2 July 2025
Adjective
  • Towns and hamlets have been largely pulverized along the front lines and for miles beyond; even American air defenses are mostly useless, because setting them up invites an immediate Russian attack.
    Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
  • Apart from evidence, some of the most important testimonies in the case were also deemed useless during the investigation.
    Alex Gurley, People.com, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • From Sonos’ side, this could just be a logical conclusion to a somewhat unfruitful partnership with mid-tier products that the brand itself increasingly competes directly with.
    Parker Hall, Wired News, 7 May 2025
  • But his administration’s efforts, so far, have been unfruitful.
    Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 23 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fruitless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fruitless. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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