meaninglessly
gb/mˈinɪŋɡlˈɛsli/ us/mˈinɪŋɡlˈɛsli/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
C1
property
1
in a pointless, purposeless way
In a way that is not useful or has no purpose.
Usage pattern:
meaninglessly + [verb]
Common mistake:
Don’t use it to mean “carelessly” (without care); it means “without purpose or value.”
Synonyms
pointlessly (Most direct synonym; emphasizes lack of point.)
|
purposelessly (Emphasizes lack of purpose or goal.)
|
aimlessly (Emphasizes lack of direction; often about moving or searching.)
Antonyms
meaningfully (Done in a way that has meaning or value.)
|
purposefully (Done with a clear purpose or intention.)
Collocations
meaninglessly argue
|meaninglessly repeat
|meaninglessly continue
|meaninglessly busy
|meaninglessly spend time
|meaninglessly destroy
|meaninglessly prolong
|meaninglessly criticise
|meaninglessly compete
|meaninglessly fight
Themes
daily_life
|communication
|emotions
Examples
- We spent the afternoon meaninglessly scrolling through videos.
- The debate dragged on meaninglessly, with no new ideas.
- He was tired of working meaninglessly long hours for nothing.
Learner examples
- I don’t want to live meaninglessly.
- They argued meaninglessly for hours.
adverb
C1
property
2
without expressing anything clearly
Without showing any clear feeling or message.
Usage pattern:
meaninglessly + [verb: stare/smile/nod/look]
Common mistake:
This sense is about expression (a blank look), not about the action being useless.
Synonyms
blankly (Most common for facial expression or gaze; emphasizes emptiness.)
|
vacantly (Suggests absence of thought or attention.)
|
expressionlessly (Focuses on lack of facial expression.)
Antonyms
expressively (Shows feelings or meaning clearly.)
|
knowingly (Implies the look or action communicates intention or understanding.)
Collocations
meaninglessly stare
|meaninglessly smile
|meaninglessly nod
|meaninglessly glance
|meaninglessly grin
|meaninglessly laugh
|meaninglessly gaze
Themes
emotions
|communication
Examples
- She stared meaninglessly at the wall, barely listening.
- He smiled meaninglessly, as if he hadn’t understood the joke.
- The crowd nodded meaninglessly, waiting for the speech to end.
Learner examples
- He looked at me meaninglessly.
- She smiled meaninglessly.
adverb
C1
property
3
producing words with no meaning
Using sounds or words that do not make sense.
Usage pattern:
meaninglessly + [verb: babble/mutter/repeat]
Common mistake:
Not the same as “incorrectly”; it means the words themselves don’t carry clear meaning.
Synonyms
nonsensically (Emphasizes that it doesn’t make sense.)
|
incoherently (Emphasizes lack of clear, connected speech.)
Antonyms
coherently (Speaks in a clear, logical way.)
|
clearly (Uses understandable language.)
Collocations
meaninglessly babble
|meaninglessly mutter
|meaninglessly chatter
|meaninglessly repeat
|meaninglessly ramble
Themes
language
|communication
Examples
- The toddler babbled meaninglessly while playing with blocks.
- He muttered meaninglessly under his breath, too tired to form a sentence.
- The recording was damaged, and the voices came through meaninglessly.
Learner examples
- The baby talked meaninglessly.
- He repeated the words meaninglessly.
Grammar
Dictionary form
meaninglessly
IPA
GB/mˈinɪŋɡlˈɛsli/
US/mˈinɪŋɡlˈɛsli/
Syllables & stress
mean - ing - lessly (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mean)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: meaninglessly
- Plural: meaninglesslies
Word family
Forms
meaninglesslies
noun
Core family
Related words
meaningfully
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
meaningless
adjective B2
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.