FRUITLESSLY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does fruitlessly mean? 

• FRUITLESSLY (adverb)
  The adverb FRUITLESSLY has 1 sense:

1. in an unproductive manner

  Familiarity information: FRUITLESSLY used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FRUITLESSLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In an unproductive manner

Synonyms:

fruitlessly; unproductively; unprofitably

Antonym:

fruitfully (in a productive way)

Pertainym:

fruitless (unproductive of success)

 Context examples 

He said that he was wearing away his time fruitlessly where he was, that letters from the friends he had formed in London desired his return to complete the negotiation they had entered into for his Indian enterprise.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

The light, bold, fluttering little figure turned and came back safe to me, and I soon laughed at my fears, and at the cry I had uttered; fruitlessly in any case, for there was no one near.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)