fruitless

[froot-lis]

adjective

1. useless; unproductive; without results or success.

   a fruitless search for the missing treasure.

   Synonyms: vain, unavailing, futile
   Antonyms: profitable, useful

2. bearing no fruit; barren.

   Synonyms: sterile
   Antonyms: fertile

fruitless

/ ˈfruːtlɪs /

adjective

1. yielding nothing or nothing of value; unproductive; ineffectual

2. without fruit

Other Word Forms

• fruitlessly adverb
• fruitlessness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fruitless¹

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; fruit, -less

Example Sentences

They had procured tickets to the live viewing of the show and made an ultimately fruitless trip to Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

At the time, Zelensky accused Moscow of "doing everything it can to ensure the next possible meeting is fruitless".

From BBC

So far, it had been a fruitless chase.

From Los Angeles Times

I have zero expectation of getting the bike back, and searching for it has proven fruitless.

From BBC

Officials from both countries agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war each, during otherwise fruitless peace negotiations in Istanbul a week ago.

From BBC

Related Words

• abortive 
• futile 
• ineffective 
• ineffectual 
• pointless 
• unproductive 
• unsuccessful 
• useless