meaningless

[mee-ning-lis]

adjective

1. without meaning, mean, meaning, significance, purpose, or value; purposeless; insignificant.

   a meaningless reply; a meaningless existence.

meaningless

/ ˈmiːnɪŋlɪs /

adjective

1. futile or empty of meaning

Other Word Forms

• meaninglessly adverb
• meaninglessness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of meaningless¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; meaning + -less

Example Sentences

If Mr. Safdie’s intent is to make the fights seem like meaningless barbarism, he has succeeded.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Beijing’s climate pledges are often dismissed as meaningless, but they serve a purpose: helping Chinese companies secure access to Europe’s market.

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But that doesn't mean international recognition is meaningless.

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"Everything that we've worked for over 40 years, it was all for Greta and Arno eventually, but now it's meaningless," he said.

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Being out of postseason contention didn’t make the Sparks’ season finale meaningless.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• absurd 
• empty 
• futile 
• hollow 
• inconsequential 
• insignificant 
• pointless 
• senseless 
• trivial 
• unimportant 
• useless 
• vague 
• worthless