Synonyms of vain

vain

adjective

ˈvān 

1

as in proud

having too high an opinion of oneself

a man so vain that he spent hours admiring himself in the mirror

Synonyms & Similar Words

• proud
• arrogant
• smug
• vainglorious
• conceited
• selfish
• egotistic
• egoistic
• self-important
• pompous
• complacent
• important
• prideful
• bigheaded
• self-conceited
• confident
• domineering
• self-satisfied
• biggety
• boastful
• assured
• stuck-up
• overweening
• consequential
• supercilious
• swellheaded
• haughty
• cocky
• bombastic
• snobbish
• self-opinionated
• blusterous
• high-and-mighty
• bumptious
• uppish
• snobby
• cavalier
• pretentious
• braggy
• snooty
• blustery
• braggart
• swaggering
• bragging
• chesty
• toplofty
• uppity
• pontifical
• disdainful
• presumptuous
• assumptive
• holier-than-thou
• high-handed
• fastuous
• overconfident
• self-assertive
• superior
• masterful
• huffy
• imperious
• lofty
• self-confident
• self-centered
• self-assured
• high-hat
• peremptory
• lordly
• condescending
• patronizing
• presuming
• highfalutin
• self-contented
• self-asserting
• self-glorifying
• self-dramatizing
• self-promoting
• self-congratulatory
• self-engrossed
• self-affected
• self-gratulatory
• self-adulatory
• self-applauding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• humble
• modest
• timid
• diffident
• egoless
• meek
• self-critical
• unassertive
• uncomplacent
• unassuming
• self-doubting
• unpretentious
• self-reproachful
• bashful
• sheepish
• down-to-earth
• shy
• self-distrustful
• shrinking
• self-reproving
• mousy
• introverted
• demure
• retiring
• overmodest
• unarrogant

2

as in futile

producing no results

all their efforts to escape proved vain

Synonyms & Similar Words

• futile
• unsuccessful
• useless
• in vain
• unavailing
• fruitless
• abortive
• unprofitable
• ineffective
• ineffectual
• impossible
• unproductive
• insufficient
• profitless
• worthless
• of no avail
• bootless
• meaningless
• inadequate
• barren
• empty
• inefficacious
• otiose
• not worth the candle
• no dice
• pointless
• hollow
• valueless
• idle
• lost
• hopeless
• lacking
• unattainable
• counterproductive
• wanting
• no-win

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• successful
• effective
• efficient
• virtuous
• profitable
• fruitful
• productive
• deadly
• worthwhile
• sufficient
• potent
• meaningful
• adequate
• effectual
• efficacious
• practical
• feasible
• applicable
• functional
• workable
• practicable
• usable
• realizable

3

as in worthless

having no usefulness

having tired of the vain pleasures of life in the fast lane, he returned to the small town he had grown up in

Synonyms & Similar Words

• worthless
• empty
• cheap
• valueless
• flawed
• no-good
• bad
• null
• imperfect
• inadequate
• chaffy
• junky
• insufficient
• defective
• inferior
• unsatisfactory
• unacceptable
• lousy
• base
• low-grade
• cheapjack
• substandard
• deficient
• duff
• second-rate
• dud

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• worthy
• valuable
• useful
• precious
• invaluable
• priceless
• special
• fancy
• exceptional
• cherished
• esteemed
• choice
• prized
• treasured
• high-grade

Synonym Chooser

How is the word vain distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of vain are empty, hollow, idle, nugatory, and otiose. While all these words mean "being without worth or significance," vain implies either absolute or relative absence of value.

vain promises

How are the words empty and hollow related as synonyms of vain?

Both empty and hollow suggest a deceiving lack of real substance or soundness or genuineness.

an empty attempt at reconciliation

a hollow victory

When is it sensible to use idle instead of vain?

The synonyms idle and vain are sometimes interchangeable, but idle suggests being incapable of worthwhile use or effect.

idle speculations

When would nugatory be a good substitute for vain?

In some situations, the words nugatory and vain are roughly equivalent. However, nugatory suggests triviality or insignificance.

a monarch with nugatory powers

In what contexts can otiose take the place of vain?

The words otiose and vain can be used in similar contexts, but otiose suggests that something serves no purpose and is either an encumbrance or a superfluity.

a film without a single otiose scene

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of vain

He a notoriously vain, boastful and fame-obsessed wizard well versed in Memory Charms who is recruited by Dumbledore as Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 24 Aug. 2026

They are expected to become wiser but not louder, visible but not vain, accomplished but not demanding, and well-preserved but not provocative. — Debbie Millman, Time, 25 July 2026

Where some may see this behavior as vain or egotistical, others may perceive it as bold, self-assured and passionate. — Mallorie Sullivan, USA Today, 20 July 2026

Paul Breitner, West Germany vs Italy, 1982 All in vain, but Breitner restores some German pride with a tidy, low volley on the turn after Italy fail to clear a corner. — Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 17 July 2026

Phrases Containing vain

• in vain