vainly

I soon learned that it’s impossible to tug on the “ropes” of sails with just the tips of my fingers to vainly try to protect my fresh mani.

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

He watched neighbors come into his backyard and vainly battle the flames.

But Trump wants to be Trump, free from the discipline his aides have sought vainly to impose.

We caught up while I vainly attempted to control my heartbeat.