fruitless

[froot-lis] / ˈfrut lɪs /

ADJECTIVE

bringing no advantage, product

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abortive futile ineffective ineffectual pointless unproductive unsuccessful useless

WEAK

barren empty gainless idle in vain infertile profitless spinning one's wheels sterile to no avail to no effect unavailable unavailing unfruitful unprofitable unprolific vain

Antonyms

STRONGEST

effective effectual fruitful productive profitable

WEAK

copious plentiful potent successful useful

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.

Other members of his sales team burned out on fruitless cold calls, but McDermott said he would skip leisurely, expensive lunches with co-workers to pack in more calls and sales meetings.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 18, 2026

Many new founders feel they are better off on their own—or have no other choice after a fruitless job search.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

After hours of fruitless negotiations, a vote was ultimately called, with Cordano coming through two rounds, defeating candidates from Senegal and Pakistan.

From Barron's • Feb. 7, 2026

While the ex-love of my life was back with her ex-beau in Michigan enjoying Mackinac Island fudge, I was ready to bury all regret and rethink my vow over a fruitless bowl of steel-cut oats.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2026

All my brothers’ attempts to find out were fruitless.

From "Farewell to Manzanar" by Jeanne Houston

Vocabulary lists containing fruitless

Power Suffix: -less

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"Rogue Wave" by Theodore Taylor

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Twelfth Night

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