Usage Note
Inutilement modifies a verb or adjective to signal that an action achieves nothing or that effort is wasted. It is the adverb of inutile ('useless, pointless'). A useful near-synonym is en vain ('in vain'), which is slightly more literary; pour rien is the more colloquial equivalent.
Examples
"Il s'est inutilement inquiété."
Natural Translation
He worried for nothing.
Literal Translation
He inutilely worried.
Related Words
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