unavailing

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'unavailing' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective that means "not successful or effective; futile." One can use 'unavailing' in formal or academic writing, particularly in legal or political contexts when describing efforts or actions that have not yielded the desired results or have been ultimately unsuccessful. Example: Despite his best efforts, the lawyer's attempts to overturn the verdict were unavailing.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The jury found him guilty, and the numerous legal appeals made on Hill's behalf were unavailing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His grimly pessimistic view of human nature and destiny and of the futility of human striving, as reflected in his novels The Return of the Native (1878), Tess of the d'Urbervilles (1891), and Jude the Obscure (1895), is barely redeemed for tragedy by his sense of the beauty of nature and of the beauty and dignity of human character and effort, however unavailing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is equally unnecessary to say that the reverse is also true: gentleness and courage, unfortunately perhaps, are unavailing without the colder cunning of the artist.

The New Yorker

To trash Currin's apparent attitudes is easy enough but, as Kim Levin seems to have discovered, remarkably unavailing.

The New Yorker

And nothing could be more unavailing.

The New Yorker

"I'm like, what the heck?" Protests were unavailing.

The New York Times

It is not surprising that repeated applications to the United States district court in Virginia by Mr. Lindh's counsel to have his agreed-upon 20-year sentence commuted have been unavailing.

The New York Times

So far, its search for him has been unavailing.

The New York Times - Sports

He was pulled out, but efforts to revive him with a stiff brandy at a West Street saloon were unavailing.

The New York Times

WASHINGTON — The second-ranking Senate Republican declared Saturday that the work of a special Congressional committee on deficit reduction was all but over, and said efforts to strike a bipartisan deal had been worthy but unavailing.

The New York Times

WASHINGTON — The second-ranking Senate Republican declared Saturday that the work of a special Congressional committee on deficit reduction was all but over, and said that efforts to strike a bipartisan deal had been worthy but unavailing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unavailing" to describe efforts or actions that are unsuccessful despite being attempted with effort or intent. This word often carries a sense of disappointment or resignation.

Common error

Don't use "unavailing" to simply mean something is not available. It specifically describes an attempt or effort that does not yield the desired result, not the absence of something altogether.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "unavailing" primarily functions to modify nouns, describing efforts, attempts, or actions that are unsuccessful or futile. Ludwig AI confirms its standard use in English writing, evident in examples such as "protests were unavailing" from The New York Times.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unavailing" is an adjective meaning not successful or effective. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as encyclopedias, it describes efforts that are ultimately fruitless. While synonymous with terms like "futile" and "ineffectual", it specifically conveys the failure of an attempted effort. Using "unavailing" accurately enhances formal and academic writing by expressing a sense of resignation or disappointment in the face of unsuccessful endeavors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

futile

This term emphasizes the pointlessness of an effort, suggesting it has no chance of success.

fruitless

Highlights the lack of positive results after an attempt.

ineffectual

Focuses on the inability to produce a desired effect.

without success

A straightforward expression indicating the absence of a positive outcome.

to no avail

A more idiomatic way of saying 'without success'.

unsuccessful

A general term for not achieving the desired result.

abortive

Implies failure at an early stage; stopped prematurely.

abortive

Implying that something fails to complete or produce the desired result.

vain

Suggests a sense of pride or self-importance attached to a failed effort.

pointless

Emphasizes the lack of a clear purpose or value in the attempt.

FAQs

How can I use "unavailing" in a sentence?

"Unavailing" is used to describe actions or efforts that are ultimately unsuccessful. For example, "Despite repeated attempts, their efforts to negotiate a peace treaty were "unavailing"."

What words are similar in meaning to "unavailing"?

Alternatives to "unavailing" include "futile", "fruitless", and "ineffectual". Each of these words conveys a sense of failed effort or lack of success.

Is it appropriate to use "unavailing" in formal writing?

Yes, "unavailing" is suitable for formal and academic writing. It conveys a sense of seriousness and is often used in contexts where efforts have significant consequences, such as legal appeals or diplomatic negotiations.

What's the difference between "unavailing" and "unsuccessful"?

"Unsuccessful" simply indicates a lack of success, while "unavailing" implies that efforts were made but did not produce the desired outcome. "Unavailing" carries a stronger connotation of effort and disappointment.