Synonyms for vain

modified

1. Possessing unwarranted self-esteem

   proud, arrogant, haughty; see egotistic 2.

2. Trivial

   trivial, unimportant, frivolous, petty, insignificant, idle, empty, hollow, otiose; see also trivial, unimportant.

vain applies to that which has little or no real value, worth, or meaning vain studies, indulging in vain pleasures; idle refers to that which is baseless or worthless because it can never be realized idle hopes, idle talk; empty and hollow are used of that which only appears to be genuine, sincere, worthwhile, etc. empty threats, hollow victories; otiose applies to that which has no real purpose or function and is therefore useless or superfluous otiose remarks

in vain

1. futilely, unprofitably, to no purpose; see vainly.

2. profanely, irreverently, lightly; see casually 2, rudely.

3. Useless

   worthless, unavailing, profitless; see futile 1, useless 1. See syn. study at futile.