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
But in the build-up to the fixture at Stamford Bridge, Irving’s efforts to impress Potter did not go in vain.
—
Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025
Their sacrifices remind us that doing what is right is never in vain, even when the path forward is unclear.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2025
But then the Reds discover humanity already reached the surface generations ago and that their work has been in vain, only to be kept under the thumb of the ruling class.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
Over the years, Ford has filed multiple appeals, all in vain, on grounds of ineffective counsel, per the court documents reviewed by PEOPLE.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vain
Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025
Their sacrifices remind us that doing what is right is never in vain, even when the path forward is unclear.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2025
But then the Reds discover humanity already reached the surface generations ago and that their work has been in vain, only to be kept under the thumb of the ruling class.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
Over the years, Ford has filed multiple appeals, all in vain, on grounds of ineffective counsel, per the court documents reviewed by PEOPLE.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 13 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
-
For Alok Bansal, a newspaper columnist, the exercise is futile – and threatens to deepen divisions.—
Sushmita Pathak,
The Christian Science Monitor,
3 Mar. 2025
-
Challenging the law again was futile until 2023 when progressives retook a 4–3 majority on the court.—
The Editors,
National Review,
25 Feb. 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
-
In part because of Dell Curry on the mic breaking down the action, jockeying between proud dad and TV analyst from his perch alongside play-by-play man Eric Collins up in Section 105.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Saldana also highlighted this in her acceptance speech by sharing how being in a Spanish-speaking role would have made her grandmother proud.—
Topsie VandenBosch,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Stephanie played her shot in the dark (a 1 in 6 chance at safety in exchange for a vote), but was unsuccessful and the 38-year-old tech product lead living in Brooklyn was the first person to be voted out of Season 48.—
Emily DeLetter,
USA TODAY,
28 Feb. 2025
-
The two had been hired to kill Pino’s estranged wife, according to the FBI, though their attempts up to that point had been unsuccessful.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
28 Feb. 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
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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
-
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
-
Those assets are useless on a device like the Deck, and take up unnecessary space.—
Jason Evangelho,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
-
In stereotypical rich-TV-family fashion, the ultimate symbol of Baba’s success is that both of his sons are sort of useless.—
Angie Han,
The Hollywood Reporter,
5 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to vain
Cite this Entry
“Vain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vain. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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