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Meanings of for nothing in English

Without success, without the desired effect.

Synonyms
Examples for "vainly"
Examples for "vainly"
1
The princess and myself have vainly searched the key to the enigma.
A Cardinal Sin
2
The wretches plunged into the waters, and struggled vainly against the current.
World's Best Histories — Volume 7: France
3
He looked vainly for the two persons in whom he was interested.
Andy the Acrobat / Or, Out with the Greatest Show on Earth
4
The guards vainly endeavoured to appease the, in many cases, half-frenzied creatures.
The Beetle: A Mystery
5
The Politician who was rotten-egged after vainly trying to control a meeting
Woodland Tales
1
I coaxed; I threatened; I persuaded; but it was all in vain.
The Adventures of Louis de Rougemont
2
They organize in vain; they protest in vain; they appeal in vain.
Black and White: Land, Labor, and Politics in the South
3
Mark inquired; Lord Minchampstead inquired; great personages inquired; but all in vain.
The World's Greatest Books — Volume 05 — Fiction
4
Her aunt scolded in vain; in spite of the remarks of Mlle.
Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Vol...
5
The room was empty; she searched him in all niches in vain.
Andrea Delfin
1
I spent year after year trying to appease them, to no avail.
Wired
2
I've asked Google to fix this issue many times, to no avail.
Wired
3
The exchange has long sought to lure technology businesses to no avail.
Reuters
4
Vincavec had Called to the Mammoth Spirit several times to no avail.
The Mammoth Hunters
5
I'd tried that several times in the last weeks, to no avail.
Coyote dreams
1
But to no purpose; months passed and he had been almost forgotten.
A Rip Van Winkle of the Kalahari, and Other Tales of South-West ...
2
The king spoke with them in many ways, but to no purpose.
Heimskringla; Or, The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway
3
Von Bloom tried bleeding, and various other remedies; but to no purpose.
The Bush Boys: History and Adventures of a Cape Farmer and his F...
4
Mr Adams prayed, and Mrs Slipslop scolded; but all to no purpose.
Joseph Andrews, Vol. 1
5
But all to no purpose; they did not, could not bring forgetfulness.
A Few Short Sketches
Usage of for nothing in English
1
The RNC calls for nothing less than a sea change in attitudes.
The Guardian
2
To get something for nothing is the fundamental immorality in the world.
Stories from Everybody's Magazine
3
Yes, even if the intern says they're happy to work for nothing.
The Guardian
4
He has seen such horrors today that my tears count for nothing.
The Kingmaker’s Daughter
5
Make them understand that-thatyou are perfectly willing to work for nothing.
Autobiography of mark twain, vol. 1
6
I've come out into the cold for nothing, I said to myself.
A duty to the dead
7
Personal quarrels should go for nothing in face of the common wrong.
The Ivory Trail
8
Jonny on the possibility of fatherhood: My daughter will want for nothing.
The Guardian
9
That's how I read it; for nothing else will fit the facts.
Sherlock holmes: the complete illustrated novels
10
Malloy and Fisk say he's a useless, pretty object, good for nothing.
A reliable wife
11
They don't call her the new Kate Moss for nothing, you know.
The Guardian
12
Loyal Teuta, who followed her everywhere and asked for nothing in return.
Imperatrix
13
She gave me a place to stay and has asked for nothing.
The incumbent
14
Nobody needs to tell Padraig Harrington that you get nothing for nothing.
The Irish Times
15
This might be for nothing, but I have to know the truth.
Monster Hunter Vendetta
16
They don't call it the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes for nothing.
Witch heart