vainly
[ veyn-lee ]
/ ˈveɪn li /
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adverb
in a way that shows or proceeds from excessive pride or concern over one’s appearance, favorable qualities, impression on others, etc.: Every time he leaves the room, he pauses to vainly admire his reflection in the mirror.I just got a box of business cards with my new degree “Ph.D.” on them—something I vainly insisted upon.
in an unsuccessful or futile way; in vain: She tried vainly to catch a glimpse of the canoe, which seemed to have dissolved suddenly into the mist.
in a way that is without real meaning, importance, or value: We talk a lot about things we like or dislike, but sad to say, we often talk vainly and to no purpose.
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OTHER WORDS FROM vainly
un·vain·ly, adverbWords nearby vainly
vail, vain, Väinämöinen, vainglorious, vainglory, vainly, vair, Vaisheshika, Vaishnava, Vaisya, vaivode
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023