meaningless

adjective

mean·​ing·​less ˈmē-niŋ-ləs How to pronounce meaningless (audio)
Synonyms of meaninglessnext
1
: having no meaning
especially : lacking any significance
felt his work was meaningless
2
: having no assigned function in a language system
meaninglessly adverb
meaninglessness noun

Synonyms of meaningless

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Examples of meaningless in a Sentence

He felt that his work was meaningless. The movie was filled with meaningless violence.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The grand scale of cosmic time reminds her (and us) that social mores and strictures are tiny, meaningless things, that what matters is passion and freedom. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026 The world’s increasingly pro-Chinese attitude is not meaningless. — Adam Y. Liu, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2026 Instead, coaches have become more and more terrified through the years of seeing their players getting hurt during largely meaningless games in August. — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 In my line of work, game columns don’t get more meaningless than that. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for meaningless

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of meaningless was in 1796

Browse Nearby Words

meaningfulness
meaningless
mean life
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Meaningless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meaningless. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

meaningless

adjective
mean·​ing·​less ˈmē-niŋ-ləs How to pronounce meaningless (audio)
1
: having no meaning or significance
meaningless chatter
2
: lacking motive
a meaningless murder
meaninglessly adverb
meaninglessness noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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