1
as in smug
having too high an opinion of oneself
a man so vain that he spent hours admiring himself in the mirror
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in futile
producing no results
all their efforts to escape proved vain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in worthless
having no usefulness
having tired of the vain pleasures of life in the fast lane, he returned to the small town he had grown up in
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of vain
Conclave depicts the Catholic church at an inflection point, with warring political factions proving themselves vain, self-serving, and hypocritical in their pursuit of power.
—
Randall Colburn, EW.com, 27 Feb. 2025
The enlightenment championed by the May 4 and June 4 movements may have never arrived, Wang argues, but nor was the quest in vain.
—Philip Tinari, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2025
However, all your energy and sacrifices are in vain if your vision is empty and shallow—like a dry riverbed.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Critics of Lightfoot’s change tried in vain to roll it back that year.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vain
Randall Colburn, EW.com, 27 Feb. 2025
The enlightenment championed by the May 4 and June 4 movements may have never arrived, Wang argues, but nor was the quest in vain.
—Philip Tinari, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2025
However, all your energy and sacrifices are in vain if your vision is empty and shallow—like a dry riverbed.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Critics of Lightfoot’s change tried in vain to roll it back that year.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vain
Adjective
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But those smug computers obviously haven’t seen a shirtless Illini coach Brad Underwood and his Super Soaker squirt gun.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2025
-
Step 15: Label the Tupperware with its contents and date, feeling ever-so-briefly and beautifully like a smug Instagram tradwife.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The data suggests that market timing is not a futile exercise but a skill - one that, like any other, is unevenly distributed and requires both technological sophistication and human insight to exploit effectively.—
Steven Desmyter,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
-
Former Vice President Mohammad-Ali Abtahi dismissed negotiations with Trump as futile, arguing that Trump's leadership made diplomacy ineffective.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The best technology in the world is worthless if people don't use it.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
-
The reporter's insistence on pulling the 4-time major champion's tongue was worthless.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
James, the proud dad was caught on camera celebrating the win like his own team had won the championship.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2025
-
Jaylon is a proud alumnus of the University of Georgia.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Nash’s cousin Allene Love told the Star-Telegram that family members’ efforts to obtain answers from police have been unsuccessful.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Mar. 2025
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At least 24,000 probationary employees have been terminated since President Trump took office, the lawsuit alleges, though efforts by the judge to get an estimate from a government attorney at a hearing Wednesday were unsuccessful.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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At the end of the family's very eventful day, Duggar and Wissmann sat around a quiet, unlit campfire with many empty camping chairs waiting for the rest of the family to arrive.—
Rachel Flynn,
People.com,
21 Mar. 2025
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From 65 million to 80 million housing units across China are estimated to be empty.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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So this kind of parallel can easily be drawn between Iran and other countries, [including those with] an arrogant isolation program, definitely.—
Georg Szalai,
The Hollywood Reporter,
13 Mar. 2025
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One of the targets of his reign of terror is arrogant Judge Stefan Mortensen, played by Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush admitted to the facility after being left partially paralyzed after a stroke.—
Simon Thompson,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Landing on the Moon comes with numerous complications, including an often-uneven surface and the lack of an atmosphere, rendering parachutes useless.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
18 Mar. 2025
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This was quite the useless promo, and much of what Rollins said could have been saved for SmackDown.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to vain
Cite this Entry
“Vain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vain. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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