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

But it is ultimately “a ridiculous and fruitless game.”

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But it is ultimately “a ridiculous and fruitless game.”

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The premise of these is that the war was misguided and fruitless, a product of post-9/11 irrationalism and naiveté about the Middle East.

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But, if protesting is just fruitless exhibitionism, as Teddy claims, and radical acts of direct action don’t seem to work any better, what is there to do if no one will listen?

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Dating apps are frequently derided as fruitless exercises in ego-demolition, but the encounters and relationships depicted here make the anonymity and distance apps provide seem like a warm, protective blanket.

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Related Words

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