UNAVAILING

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does unavailing mean? 

• UNAVAILING (adjective)
  The adjective UNAVAILING has 1 sense:

1. producing no result or effect

  Familiarity information: UNAVAILING used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• UNAVAILING (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Producing no result or effect

Synonyms:

futile; ineffectual; meaningless; otiose; unavailing

Context example:

an unavailing attempt

Similar:

useless (having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully)

 Context examples 

It was a subject, in short, on which reflection would be long indulged, and must be unavailing.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

The local influence of my family was quite unavailing to obtain any employment in that department, for a man of Mr. Micawber's abilities.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

"Who is this? Who is this?" he demanded, trying, as it seemed, to see with those sightless eyes—unavailing and distressing attempt!

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

I woke Madam Mina, and again tried to hypnotise her; but alas! unavailing till too late.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

But her curiosity was unavailing, for no farther notice was taken of Mr. Ferrars's name by Miss Steele when alluded to, or even openly mentioned by Sir John.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

But even that refuge proved unavailing, for he was delivered over to the enemy, with a Be gentle with him, John, which struck the culprit with dismay, for when Mamma deserted him, then the judgment day was at hand.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

It was a long and gloomy night that gathered on me, haunted by the ghosts of many hopes, of many dear remembrances, many errors, many unavailing sorrows and regrets.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Lydia—the humiliation, the misery she was bringing on them all, soon swallowed up every private care; and covering her face with her handkerchief, Elizabeth was soon lost to everything else; and, after a pause of several minutes, was only recalled to a sense of her situation by the voice of her companion, who, in a manner which, though it spoke compassion, spoke likewise restraint, said, I am afraid you have been long desiring my absence, nor have I anything to plead in excuse of my stay, but real, though unavailing concern.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

I glanced at Van Helsing, and saw my conviction reflected in his eyes; so I became a little more fixed in my manner, if not more stern, and motioned to him that his efforts were unavailing.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Not a tear rose to Burns' eye; and, while I paused from my sewing, because my fingers quivered at this spectacle with a sentiment of unavailing and impotent anger, not a feature of her pensive face altered its ordinary expression.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)