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Fruitlessness Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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fruitlessness

[หˆfruหt.lษ™s.nษ™s ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

feeling of

The state of being unproductive or ineffective; lack of success or accomplishment.

Synonyms

futility, ineffectiveness, unproductiveness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
fruitlessness

Describing an effort or action that yields no results or benefits, often used in literary or formal settings.

  • The fruitlessness of their negotiations became apparent after several months.
  • She lamented over the fruitlessness of her endeavors.
ineffectiveness

Highlighting the lack of desired results or impact, commonly used in technical, business, or everyday settings.

  • The ineffectiveness of the new policy was evident from the start.
  • Her coaching techniques showed ineffectiveness with the new team.
unproductiveness

Describing a situation or period where little to no productive work is happening, often used in workplace or academic contexts.

  • His unproductiveness during the project phase was concerning.
  • Managers were unhappy with the unproductiveness of the team last quarter.
futility

Conveying a sense of hopelessness or pointlessness, often used in both everyday and literary contexts. It can carry a negative connotation.

  • It felt like an exercise in futility to argue with him.
  • They realized the futility of trying to change her mind.

Examples of usage

  • The fruitlessness of his efforts left him feeling defeated.
  • She was overwhelmed by the fruitlessness of the situation.
Context #2 | Noun

result of

The quality or state of yielding no fruit; barrenness.

Synonyms

barrenness, infertility, sterility.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
fruitlessness

Used when referring to an effort, action, or endeavor that produces no desired results or success.

  • His repeated attempts to fix the broken machine ended in fruitlessness
  • The project was abandoned due to its fruitlessness
barrenness

Typically used to describe land or a place that is unproductive or not capable of producing vegetation.

  • The vast barrenness of the desert stretched out before them
  • The barrenness of the field indicated years of neglect
infertility

Used to describe the inability to conceive children or reproduce. Often used in medical contexts.

  • The couple sought medical advice because of their struggles with infertility
  • Infertility treatments can be very expensive and emotionally taxing
sterility

Can refer to both the inability to reproduce and to a state of being free from bacteria or microorganisms. When referring to reproduction, it often has a negative connotation.

  • The man discovered his sterility after several tests
  • Hospitals maintain sterility in their operating rooms to prevent infection

Examples of usage

  • The soil's fruitlessness made it difficult to grow any crops.
  • The fruitlessness of the tree was disappointing to the farmer.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Philosophy

  • Many philosophers, like Kierkegaard, discussed the idea of fruitlessness in relation to existential angst and pursuit of meaning.
  • The concept is often linked to the notion of 'vanity of vanities' in Ecclesiastes, exploring themes of futility in human endeavors.
  • In Buddhism, fruitlessness relates to attachment to outcomes, teaching followers to focus on the process rather than results.

Literature

  • Writers like Albert Camus have echoed the theme of fruitlessness in their works, reflecting on the absurdity of striving without reward.
  • In Shakespearean dramas, characters often face fruitlessness, depicting the result of their ambitions leading to despair.
  • In modern literature, the theme explores the disconnect between effort and outcome, resonating with contemporary readers.

Psychology

  • The feeling of fruitlessness can lead to decreased motivation and increased feelings of helplessness in individuals.
  • Cognitive dissonance often arises when people work hard but face fruitlessness, prompting them to re-evaluate their goals or methods.
  • Therapeutic approaches encourage reframing thoughts around fruitlessness to foster resilience and growth despite challenges.

Economics

  • Firms may experience fruitlessness when investments do not yield expected profits, influencing decision-making and strategy.
  • Economic theories often examine productivity and outcomes to understand why certain efforts result in fruitlessness.
  • In personal finance, individuals may feel fruitlessness when they save diligently but fail to see expected growth in investments.

Origin of 'fruitlessness'

Main points about word origin

  • The word combines 'fruit,' meaning results, and 'lessness,' which indicates a lack or absence.
  • It originates from the Latin word 'fructus,' meaning 'to enjoy the result of,' reflecting the idea of gains.
  • In Middle English, the related term 'fruit' was often used in both literal and metaphorical senses to indicate returns from oneโ€™s labor.

The word 'fruitlessness' originated from the combination of the word 'fruitless' and the suffix '-ness'. 'Fruitless' comes from the Middle English 'frutless', from Old French 'froit', ultimately from Latin 'frลซctus' meaning 'enjoyment, profit, fruit'. The suffix '-ness' is used to form abstract nouns indicating a state or condition.

See also: fruit, fruitful, fruitfully, fruitfulness, fruitless, fruitlessly, unfruitful, unfruitfully.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,092, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.