pointless
Americanadjective
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without a point.
a pointless pen.
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blunt, as an instrument.
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without force, meaning, or relevance.
a pointless remark.
- Synonyms:
- ineffectual, futile, unproductive, meaningless
-
without a point scored, as in a game.
a pointless inning.
adjective
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without a point
-
without meaning, relevance, or force
-
sport without a point scored
Other Word Forms
- pointlessly adverb
- pointlessness noun
Etymology
Origin of pointless
First recorded in 1300–50, pointless is from Middle English point les. See point, -less
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Given that many of the aggregate level assumptions have changed, it is somewhat pointless to try to transpose this onto individual bank loss estimates, analysts write.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026
“Realism is all about realizing that in a competitive world, you want to be smart and go for genuine strategic advantage, not just pointless displays of power.”
From Salon • Mar. 10, 2026
Mayweather championed and perfected the genre, fighting UFC star Conor McGregor in a competitively pointless but massively lucrative bout in 2017.
From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026
“Until an announcement is made by President Trump, any reporting about the Federal Reserve Chairman nominations process is pointless speculation,” White House spokesman Kush Desai said.
From Barron's • Jan. 16, 2026
“But,” Ainsley protests, “we need time for real homework. We shouldn’t waste it on made-up projects based on pointless ‘Dear Diary’ entries.”
From "Shine!" by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
