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vainly

[veyn-lee] / ˈveɪn li /


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.

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Compared to those who have vainly chased his tournament record for the past 68 years, Fontaine is a relative unknown to modern audiences.

From BBC Jul. 13, 2026

Even as he struggles vainly in Ukraine, Mr. Putin has been forced to watch the decline of Russian influence in Europe.

From The Wall Street Journal May 4, 2026

Alpha’s mom, who works in a hospital vainly treating these incurable patients, doesn’t want her only child to come down with the disease.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 26, 2026

It is not to dash all our energy against a wave that’s not yet spent, trying vainly to roll it back to yesterday.

From Salon May 1, 2025

But there was another, wilder possibility that kept raising its head, though he tried vainly to suppress it.

From "1984" by George Orwell



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