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Meanings of to no purpose 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
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
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
Usage of to no purpose in English
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
6
My fingertips went over and over the wires, but to no purpose.
Club dead
7
Thus I travelled, backwards and forwards, four hundred miles to no purpose.
The History of the Rise, Progress and Accomplishment of the Abol...
8
The servants have all been examined over and over to no purpose.
The Letters of Horace Walpole, Earl of Orford — Volume 3
9
He was hurt and it would just pain him to no purpose.
A kiss of shadows
10
Polly proposes it-hasproposed it once or twice before to no purpose.
Helbeck of Bannisdale — Volume I
11
It was all to no purpose, the money could not be found.
The Young Bridge-Tender; or, Ralph Nelson's Upward Struggle
12
They filled the air with arrows and spears, but to no purpose.
Through the Air to the North Pole / Or, The Wonderful Cruise of ...
13
The common means we have already tried, and tried to no purpose.
The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 06 (of 12)
14
I argued with him to the very utmost, but to no purpose.
Anna St. Ives
15
Cowse offered to acquit him of the debt, but to no purpose.
The Pirates of Malabar, and an Englishwoman in India Two Hundred...
16
It was to no purpose that arrests were made, and punishments threatened.
The Seven Great Monarchies Of The Ancient Eastern World, Vol 7: ...