in vain
To no avail
To do something in vain is to do it without success or result: We searched in vain for survivors.
The phrase carries a note of futility—effort expended for nothing.
Separately, to take a name in vain is to use it disrespectfully, especially in the religious sense of invoking God's name carelessly or profanely.
In a fruitless manner
- pointlesslyWithout meaningful result
- uselesslyWithout achieving anything
- unsuccessfullyWithout achieving intended result
- to no availWithout achieving the goal
ineffectually · unproductively · ineffectively · hopelessly · fruitlessly · unavailingly · worthlessly · purposelessly
futilely
In a fruitless manner
- pointlesslyWithout meaningful result
- uselesslyWithout achieving anything
- unsuccessfullyWithout achieving intended result
to no avail · ineffectually · unproductively · ineffectively · hopelessly · fruitlessly · unavailingly · worthlessly · purposelessly · empty-handed
in vainsuccessfully
With achievement of aim
fruitfully · effectively · productively · triumphantly · victoriously
in vainmeaningfully
With significance or intent
purposefully · worthily · significantly · valuably · importantly