Synonyms

to no avail

Idioms

Also, of little or no avail. Of no use or advantage, ineffective, as in All his shouting was to no avail; no one could hear him, or The life jacket was of little or no avail. This idiom uses avail in the sense of “advantage” or “assistance,” a usage dating from the mid-1400s. Also see to little purpose.

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.

Borman said property owners call the city’s 311 system to no avail.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 20, 2026

One 59-year-old with 34 years of experience in the financial-services sector has been job hunting for 17 months, to no avail.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 19, 2026

I’ve been trying to meet Jasper Johns, to no avail.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

The 84-year-old had gone in with a serious infection or inflammation following advice from his GP, who tried to contact the hospital ahead of his arrival to no avail.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

I assured him that we would provide him with warm clothing and that he would spend only a night in jail, but to no avail.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

to no avail

Example Sentences

Related Words