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Meanings of vainly in English

Portuguese
em vão

Without success, without the desired effect.

em vão
Usage of vainly in English
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
6
The German emperors vainly interposed for the relief of their unfortunate vassals.
Holland: The History of the Netherlands
7
Then came Fräulein Westerhold, whom he loved vainly in the Wertherlike fashion.
The Love Affairs of Great Musicians, Volume 1
8
Mr. Jellicorse vainly strove to keep the man in town that night.
Mary Anerley: A Yorkshire Tale
9
Through the eighth round his opponent strove vainly to repeat the uppercut.
The Night-Born
10
He watched the dog vainly searching, following the scent up and down.
The World's Greatest Books — Volume 07 — Fiction
11
For a long time General Kelly vainly tried to head us off.
The Road
12
The heathen therefore preparing to fight, vainly attacked the people of God.
Highways and Byways in Sussex
13
As I read it I asked myself vainly what it could mean.
The Treasure-Train
14
Pym has vainly tried to win him back to the popular cause.
A Handbook to the Works of Browning (6th ed.)
15
Then the river rose, and for days they struggled vainly against it.
The History of Australian Exploration from 1788 to 1888
16
Then an arm came suddenly over and pecked vainly at the banner.
Indiscreet Letters From Peking / Being the Notes of an Eye-Witne...
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Translations for vainly
Vainly through the time
Vainly across language varieties
United Kingdom
Common
United States of America
Rare