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
-
While the Duttons are just barely scraping by, the smug evil-doer is enjoying a warm bath in his mansion.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
23 Feb. 2025
-
Most of your editorials, John Brummett, Rex Nelson, and John Deering, are blatant Trump haters, and their smug, condescending echo-chamber mindsets are constantly denigrating, mocking, and disrespecting at least 64 percent of your potential readers.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
15 Feb. 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
-
This makes any concessions congressional Democrats may be able to obtain from their Republican colleagues worthless.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
-
These pump-and-dump schemes artificially inflate stock prices, allowing the perpetrators to sell at a high price before the stock inevitably crashes, leaving investors with worthless shares.—
True Tamplin,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Jaylon is a proud alumnus of the University of Georgia.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
16 Mar. 2025
-
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
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
-
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
-
Hide your money anywhere but your shoe; buy a solo car; don’t wander any empty train platforms.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2025
-
Built in 1917 as a grand hostelry that drew a who’s-who list of visitors in its heyday, it was scheduled for renovation after sitting empty for 15 years.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The actor has one daughter with ex-wife Melanie Griffith and has been dating his girlfriend Nicole Kimpel since 2014. 05 of 09 John Lithgow as Lord Farquaad The actor behind the arrogant Lord Farquaad boasts an impressive career that began decades before Shrek came out in 2001.—
Zoey Lyttle,
People.com,
1 Mar. 2025
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Many members of its board appeared arrogant in the face of questions from the prosecutor or one of the lawyers.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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 21 Mar. 2025.
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