1. in a way that produces no useful results or benefits

Examples

• The team worked unfruitfully for hours without making any progress.
• She searched unfruitfully through the files for the missing document.
• The negotiations proceeded unfruitfully, with neither side willing to compromise.
• He spent the afternoon unfruitfully trying to fix the broken computer.
• The detective investigated unfruitfully, finding no new leads in the case.
• They argued unfruitfully about the same issue for the third time this week.