pointless
Americanadjective
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without a point.
a pointless pen.
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blunt, as an instrument.
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without force, meaning, or relevance.
a pointless remark.
- Synonyms:
- ineffectual, futile, unproductive, meaningless
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without a point scored, as in a game.
a pointless inning.
adjective
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without a point
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without meaning, relevance, or force
-
sport without a point scored
Other Word Forms
- pointlessly adverb
- pointlessness noun
Etymology
Origin of pointless
First recorded in 1300–50, pointless is from Middle English point les. See point, -less
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"For the supporters, it's a complete dead rubber. It is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard - it's pointless," was the blunt assessment from former Northern Ireland midfielder Chris Brunt.
From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026
The two men strolled around the grounds of the castle, taking in the pointless folly of the battlements and arrow slits.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026
“Realism is all about realizing that in a competitive world, you want to be smart and go for genuine strategic advantage, not just pointless displays of power.”
From Salon • Mar. 10, 2026
Several NGOs think carrying on seeking consensus is pointless and will produce the same outcome as Busan 2024 and Geneva 2025 -- but were somewhat encouraged by Saturday's outcome.
From Barron's • Feb. 7, 2026
In the mornings she teaches arithmetic to his younger pupils, and afterward spends many hours at his bright-white shirtsleeve conjugating the self-same reflexive verbs—I’homme se noie—which a year ago she declared pointless.
From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.