bootlessly

In vain entirely

In a futile or fruitless manner, without achieving the desired result.

The word derives from an old sense of boot meaning advantage or remedy—to act bootlessly is to act without benefit: He bootlessly searched for his keys in the dark.

The word is rare and literary; uselessly or fruitlessly serve most contexts better.

futility

fruitlessly

Without achieving the goal

unavailinglyWithout producing desired effect
to no availWithout achieving the goal
in vainWithout achieving anything

ineffectually · pointlessly · unproductively · vainly · for nothing · unprofitably · abortively · uselessly · ineffectively · emptily

ineffectiveness

impotently

Without strength or influence

powerlesslyWithout ability to act
helplesslyWithout ability to cope
fecklesslyWithout vigor or purpose

weakly · feebly · ineptly · incompetently · inadequately · insufficiently · deficiently · lamely · unconvincingly · unpersuasively

worthlessness

meaninglessly

Without significance or purpose

triviallyIn unimportant manner
insignificantlyIn an unimportant manner
inconsequentiallyWithout meaningful effect

unnecessarily · needlessly · superfluously · gratuitously · wastefully · redundantly · extraneously · frivolously · emptily · hollowly

Opposites

effectiveness/success of effort

bootlesslysuccessfully

With achievement of aim

effectively · fruitfully · productively · efficaciously · profitably

purposefulness/utility

bootlesslyusefully

In advantageous manner

purposefully · meaningfully · valuably · worthily · constructively

Family

bootless, bootlessness

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G