UNFRUITFUL Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

unfruitful

adjective

ˌən-ˈfrüt-fəl

Definition of unfruitful

as in sterile

not able to produce fruit or offspring disappointed to discover that the mare was unfruitful

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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.

Recent Examples of unfruitful But if those efforts are unfruitful, the property can be turned over to the state. — Addy Bink, The Hill, 23 Dec. 2025 Mitchell spent 10 years preaching, racking up unfruitful notes from church growth conferences, and eventually started struggling with depression. — Charlotte Kramon, Fortune, 7 Dec. 2025 Its lease had run out, and negotiations proved unfruitful. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 21 Nov. 2025 That’s one investment that has proved rather unfruitful so far, although things appear to be looking up for WBD investors currently with company on the auction block and simultaneously preparing to separate its cable operations and studios/streaming into to companies. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unfruitful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfruitful

Adjective

Earlier this year, an open letter from agency leadership warned against using federal funds to buy harm reduction supplies like sterile syringes and pipes, or to distribute test strips for common drug supply contaminants.

— Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 3 Sep. 2026
Specs AccordionItemContainerButton Minimalist and cozy are two words that come to mind when describing the Zixuan daybed, which has a clean silhouette but doesn’t feel sterile thanks to its plump pillows.

— Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of sterile

Adjective

Without vegetation, a barren burn scar allows runoff to flow more quickly.

— Jamie Stengle, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
At the rocky, barren peninsula of Depotodden, though, there was an uncomfortable reminder that even this remote coastline is connected to the rest of the world.

— Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of barren

Adjective

Trying to find an explanation for why a claim was denied is a fruitless task.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Remote club-to-club conversations had proved fruitless, so senior figures travelled by Eurostar to Lille and an initial €60m deal was struck on Monday.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of fruitless

Browse Nearby Words

unfrozen

unfruitful

unfulfilled

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“Unfruitful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfruitful. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of unfruitful

adjective

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