unavailing

American  

[uhn-uh-vey-ling] / ˌʌn əˈveɪ lɪŋ /

adjective

1. ineffectual; futile.

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unavailing British  

/ ˌʌnəˈveɪlɪŋ /

adjective

1. useless or futile

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Other Word Forms

• unavailingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of unavailing

First recorded in 1660–70; un- ¹ + avail + -ing ²

Example Sentences

So far, though, the efforts have been unavailing.

From Los Angeles Times

“Unfortunately, our informal efforts to get the city to abide by this order have been unavailing.”

From Los Angeles Times

The speech will thrill those for whom the glories of patriotic battle can never dim, and will chill those who do not think themselves less patriotic because they find war an ugly and unavailing abomination.

From Los Angeles Times

Mailing documents to the IRS is also often unavailing.

From Washington Post

Repeated attempts to reach Bishop Zurek and his spokesman were unavailing, and the diocese did not respond to an emailed request for comment.

From Washington Times