unavailing

adjective

un·​avail·​ing ˌən-ə-ˈvā-liŋ How to pronounce unavailing (audio)
Synonyms of unavailingnext
: not availing : futile, useless
unavailing arguments/efforts
unavailingly
ˌən-ə-ˈvā-liŋ-lē How to pronounce unavailing (audio)
adverb
unavailingness noun

Synonyms of unavailing

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Examples of unavailing in a Sentence

an unavailing effort to avert a war
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 position advanced by the states is legally unavailing as a matter of longstanding and well-established law. — WSJ, 25 July 2018 Efforts to aid him with lifeboats, three of which were ineffectually trying to breast the heavy sea, were unavailing, while a lifeline, held by a number of rescuers, was carried far out into the surf by a number of swimmers. — sandiegouniontribune.com, 6 May 2018 On Saturday, Durant reaffirmed his stance that the question of his and other superstars’ effort was an unavailing narrative to explore every February. — Devon Henderson, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1670, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unavailing was in 1670

Rhymes for unavailing

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Browse Nearby Words

unavailable energy
unavailing
unavenged
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Cite this Entry

“Unavailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unavailing. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

unavailing

adjective
un·​avail·​ing ˌən-ə-ˈvā-liŋ How to pronounce unavailing (audio)
: of no use : not successful : futile
unavailingly adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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