in vain

1. To no avail, useless, as in All our work was in vain. [c. 1300] Also see take someone's name in vain.

Example Sentences

"The time for excuses is over… Matt and Rachel's deaths must not be in vain," Sue Arnold said after an inquest, which is yet to deliver its findings.

From BBC

The family of a 15-year-old champion kickboxer who died after a bout have said while his death has left them "broken", they hoped it wouldn't be "in vain".

From BBC

Emily said Liliwen's death "must not be in vain" and wants all health boards to change their policies on pain relief in labour and induction.

From BBC

As the gunfire continued to ring out, another security guard tried in vain to activate an alarm system to disable the elevators, potentially preventing more carnage.

From BBC

"Omar needed blood, and it took them an hour to get it. They gave it to him, but it was in vain."

From BBC

Related Words

• fruitless 
• hollow 
• impractical 
• ineffective 
• ineffectual 
• insufficient 
• trivial 
• unproductive 
• unprofitable 
• unsuccessful 
• useless 
• vain 
• worthless