unavailing

[ uhn-uh-vey-ling ]

adjective

1. ineffectual; futile.

unavailing

/ ˌʌnəˈveɪlɪŋ /

adjective

1. useless or futile

Derived Forms

• ˌunaˈvailingly, adverb

Other Words From

• una·vailing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of unavailing¹

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

Example Sentences

Myths were confounded, lies proved unavailing, and there were big losers beyond Mitt Romney.

From The Daily Beast

My efforts to reach Robbins to hear his explanation were unavailing, alas.

From The Daily Beast

Efforts to determine when the Massachusetts legislature last felt embarrassed were unavailing.

From The Daily Beast

The judicious father saw that it would be utterly unavailing to urge the suit, and the matter was dropped.

From Project Gutenberg

The endeavor would not only be utterly unavailing, but would, with certainty, involve them in speedy and retrieveless ruin.

From Project Gutenberg

The friends of the monarchy soon found all efforts at concealment unavailing.

From Project Gutenberg

Many of the Girondists in the Assembly gave vehement but unavailing utterance to their execration of the massacres.

From Project Gutenberg

Although a large reward was offered for his apprehension, all efforts to find him proved unavailing.

From Project Gutenberg