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Definition of fruitless : 1. Lacking, or not bearing, fruit; barren; destitute of offspring; as, a fruitless tree or shrub; a fruitless marriage.
2. Productive of no advantage or good effect; vain; idle; useless; unprofitable; as, a fruitless attempt; a fruitless controversy.

Synonyms:

swollen, conceited, trivial, nugatory, null, study at futile, visionary, unsatisfying, barren, baseless, used, delusive, inconstant, unproductive, egotistical, in vain, empty, unavailing, bootless, deceitful, unimportant, egotistic, vapid, otiose, thrive, shadowy, swollen-headed, profitless, sleeveless, self-conceited, unsubstantial, idle, unprofitable, worthless, unreal, trifling

frustrated, failed, useless, ineffectual, unsuccessful, pointless, foiled, thwarted, futile, abortive, vain

inadequate, unserviceable, detrimental, unworkable, nonfunctional, impractical, good-for-nothing, unusable, ineffective, unsuitable

Usage examples:

• They were to sail that afternoon at four o'clock; and after a fruitless chase, went to the hotel to get dinner. - "The Narrative of a Blockade-Runner", John Wilkinson.
• Yet it would not be right for me to remain away, since by this the whole plan would be frustrated, and many excellent men of the opposition brought thither on a fruitless journey. - "The Life and Times of Ulric Zwingli", Johann Hottinger.
• But it has been a pleasanter evening in every way than those fruitless watches we kept in the street below. - "When London Burned", G. A. Henty.