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Showing results for vain. Search instead for vainn.
Definitions

vain

[veyn] / veɪn /
ADJECTIVE
egotistical
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arrogant cocky
WEAK
big-headed boastful conceited egocentric egoistic haughty high-and-mighty inflated narcissistic ostentatious overweening pleased with oneself proud puffed up self-important stuck-up swaggering swollen-headed vainglorious
Antonyms
STRONGEST
humble
WEAK
modest possible shy
ADJECTIVE
futile, useless
Synonyms
STRONGEST
frivolous fruitless petty trivial
WEAK
abortive barren bootless delusive delusory empty going nowhere hollow idle in vicious circle inefficacious insignificant misleading no-win not a prayer nugatory on a treadmill otiose paltry pointless profitless puny senseless shuck slight sterile time-wasting trifling unavailing unimportant unnotable unproductive unprofitable valueless void worthless
Antonyms
STRONGEST
consequential important significant useful
WEAK
modest possible shy

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.

At the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence, the staff tried in vain to save the program.

From Salon • Mar. 11, 2026

The last few hours were all in vain.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

"Many people asked me to ignore it, others said that my fight was in vain and that I should just 'play football'," Vinicius said in a post on X.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2026

Ahead of the burial on Friday, locals also carried those portraits and flags while chanting pro-Gaddafi slogans and declaring that "the martyrs' blood will not be shed in vain".

From Barron's • Feb. 6, 2026

Sassur tried in vain to protect Hari from the crowds, while Sass bent over, fanning him with a palm leaf.

From "Homeless Bird" by Gloria Whelan

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.