as in sterile
not able to produce fruit or offspring
disappointed to discover that the mare was unfruitful
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Recent Examples of unfruitful
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
Homosexual life, by contrast, is one of unfruitful stasis and sterile repetition.
—Garth Greenwell, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Trump too has aired frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin in recent weeks as ceasefire talks have been unfruitful.
—The Hill Staff, The Hill, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
Homosexual life, by contrast, is one of unfruitful stasis and sterile repetition.
—Garth Greenwell, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Trump too has aired frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin in recent weeks as ceasefire talks have been unfruitful.
—The Hill Staff, The Hill, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfruitful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfruitful
Adjective
-
The hospice movement that emerged in the latter half of the last century improved conditions for patients in the later years of life, replacing sterile, clinical hospital settings with holistic care centered on pain management, dignity, and quality of life.—
Tom Koutsoumpas,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
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Schaffner said sterile male files that can't impregnate females were created in a laboratory.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
So is neighboring Idaho, home to a federal nuclear lab, and Utah, where Governor Spencer Cox recently staged a press conference in the barren scrubland west of Salt Lake City.—
Kirk Siegler,
NPR,
2 May 2026
-
Ground covers can suppress weeds, protect topsoil from erosion and drought, and fill empty gaps between stepping stones, pavers, and barren ground.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
But the Padres hitters, who did have some long but fruitless at-bats, also missed on some pitches.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Any attempt to poke the bear seemed fruitless.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unfruitful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfruitful. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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