vain effort

collocation in English

meaningsofvainandeffort

These words are often used together. Click on the links below to explore the meanings. Or,see other collocations witheffort.
vain
adjective
uk
/veɪn/us
/veɪn/
unsuccessful; of ...
See more atvain
effort
noun
uk
/ˈef.ət/us
/ˈef.ɚt/
physical or mental activity needed to ...
See more ateffort

(Definition ofvainandeffortfrom theCambridge English Dictionary© Cambridge University Press)

Examplesofvain effort

These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
We face serious consequences if we succumb to over-stimulating the economy in avaineffortto buy votes.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
They will not accept compromise that merely repackages the unacceptable in avaineffortto save political face.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
I think it is avaineffort.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
In avaineffortto protect themselves, some of the miners tried to cover their faces with jackets or other pieces of cloth.
From
Wikipedia
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He attempted to fend them off, however, this was avaineffortas there were too many attackers, and he was gravely injured.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
It was characterized by an under-current of discontent with the mystery of existence, byvaineffort, unrewarded struggle, sceptical unrest, and an uneasy straining after the unattainable.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
In avaineffortto combat social democracy, he seriously interfered with the freedom to hold public meetings and attempted the forcible suppression of strike movements.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
Against euthenics the other side urges that it demands an endless amount of money to patch up conditions in thevaineffortto get greater efficiency.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
I have never yet been able to understand that you approach the merits of any discussion by vain efforts to approximate to its authorship.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
He defended himself, and was condemned to death as a traitor; vain efforts were made to save him, even by officers of the parliamentary army.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
Somerset made vain efforts to procure his release and continued his pension.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
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Go to the definition ofvain
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See other collocations witheffort