useless

adjective

use·​less ˈyüs-ləs 

: having or being of no use:

a

: ineffectual

a useless attempt

b

: not able to give service or aid : inept

uselessly adverb

uselessness noun

Synonyms

• impracticable
• impractical
• inoperable
• nonpractical
• unserviceable
• unusable
• unworkable

Examples of useless in a Sentence

The tent is useless in wet conditions.

I made a useless attempt at fixing the leak.

Drugs are useless in treating the condition.

Recent Examples on the Web

In the Milky Way’s galactic magnetic field, the force is so weak that a standard compass would be virtually useless. —Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 21 Feb. 2025

Several pharmacists in São Paulo repeatedly stressed that just a few hours at room temperature renders the medications useless. —Flávia Milhorance, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025

Reignite creativity by making something useless—a haiku poem about your morning coffee, a sculpture of yourself, a short story intended for no audience. —Dale Whelehan, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025

Rain has a subtler impact on combat as players won’t be able to hear enemies sneaking up behind them while fog reduces visibility making weapons such as sniper rifles useless. —Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

useless

adjective

use·​less ˈyüs-ləs 

: having or being of no use

uselessly adverb

uselessness noun