in vain

1. To no avail, useless, as in All our work was in vain. [c. 1300] Also see take someone's name in vain.

Example Sentences

We call for water and it's all in vain.

From BBC

Decisions being taken in the coming weeks could determine whether that huge waste of public money has all been in vain.

From BBC

Geoff: Brilliant start but we need to win our home games or its all in vain.

From BBC

"The time for excuses is over… Matt and Rachel's deaths must not be in vain," Sue Arnold said after an inquest, which is yet to deliver its findings.

From BBC

The family of a 15-year-old champion kickboxer who died after a bout have said while his death has left them "broken", they hoped it wouldn't be "in vain".

From BBC

Related Words

• fruitless 
• hollow 
• impractical 
• ineffective 
• ineffectual 
• insufficient 
• trivial 
• unproductive 
• unprofitable 
• unsuccessful 
• useless 
• vain 
• worthless