fruitless

[ froot-lis ]

adjective

1. useless; unproductive; without results or success:

   a fruitless search for the missing treasure.

   Synonyms: vain, unavailing, futile

   Antonyms: profitable, useful

2. bearing no fruit; barren.

   Synonyms: sterile

   Antonyms: fertile

fruitless

/ ˈfruːtlɪs /

adjective

1. yielding nothing or nothing of value; unproductive; ineffectual
2. without fruit

Derived Forms

• ˈfruitlessly, adverb
• ˈfruitlessness, noun

Other Words From

• fruitless·ly adverb
• fruitless·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fruitless¹

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; fruit, -less

Example Sentences

Jamison began dancing for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1965, a year after meeting the company’s namesake at a fruitless television audition.

From Los Angeles Times

The 30 years since her death have seen a so-far fruitless search for her killer and decades of torment for her family.

From BBC

She says dating had become "fruitless", citing the seemingly endless choice that dating apps offer as a factor, with fewer people wanting to commit.

From BBC

Previous efforts by the brothers and their attorneys to cut short their incarceration have been fruitless, but a new writ of habeas corpus citing new evidence is being considered by the Dist.

From Los Angeles Times

"During the debate, Harris scrapped the time-worn, fruitless Democratic practice of treating Trump mainly as a dangerous, imperious liar. Instead, she cast him as insecure, tiresome, and small."

From Salon

Related Words

• abortive
• futile
• ineffective
• ineffectual
• pointless
• unproductive
• unsuccessful
• useless