Main entry: vain, fruitless, futile, bootless, sleeveless
Definition: unproductive of success
Usage: a fruitless search; futile years after her artistic peak; a sleeveless errand; a vain attempt
Main entry: futile, unavailing, otiose, ineffectual
Definition: producing no result or effect
Usage: a futile effort; the therapy was ineffectual; an otiose undertaking; an unavailing attempt