Synonym Chooser

How is the word otiose distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of otiose are empty, hollow, idle, nugatory, and vain. While all these words mean "being without worth or significance," otiose suggests that something serves no purpose and is either an encumbrance or a superfluity.

a film without a single otiose scene

How do empty and hollow relate to one another, in the sense of otiose?

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

an empty attempt at reconciliation
a hollow victory

When might idle be a better fit than otiose?

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

idle speculations

When is it sensible to use nugatory instead of otiose?

Although the words nugatory and otiose have much in common, nugatory suggests triviality or insignificance.

a monarch with nugatory powers

When could vain be used to replace otiose?

The words vain and otiose are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vain implies either absolute or relative absence of value.

vain promises

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for otiose
Adjective
  • The fight against short-term rentals, after all, can be futile.
    Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 6 June 2025
  • But without Congress actually enacting the DOGE cuts into law, history will show this entire exercise to have been largely futile.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • One game after the Oilers were unsuccessful in challenging that Bennett interfered with Stuart Skinner during the game’s first goal, Bennett toppled over Skinner after getting contact from Ekholm later in the period.
    Michael Russo, New York Times, 7 June 2025
  • Efforts to reach Suncor officials for this story were unsuccessful.
    Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • The bad job, the relaxing sabbatical, the useless degree.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
  • Through a charmingly off-kilter blend of 2D aesthetics, the film follows a protagonist who, after catching a highly contagious virus, must abandon her work as a personal assistant to a demanding boss and her duties at home with a useless husband and two needy kids.
    Jamie Lang, Variety, 7 June 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Otiose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/otiose. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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