nyttesløst

Nyttesløst is a Norwegian word that functions as both an adjective and an adverb. It describes something that lacks practical use or effect, i.e., futile or pointless. The related adjective nyttesløs means “useless” in itself, while nyttesløst is the adverbial form used to modify verbs, as in “Det er nyttesløst å fortsette.” The noun nytte means “usefulness” or “utility,” and the suffix -sløs marks absence, giving the sense “without use.” The term is widely used across registers, from everyday speech to formal writing, to judge actions, plans, arguments or devices that fail to achieve their goals.

In usage, nyttesløst emphasizes futility or lack of outcome, rather than mere dislike or inefficiency. It can be evaluative but is not a blanket condemnation of worth. Common synonyms include meningsløst, unødvendig, and ubrukelig, while related notions include nytteverdi and the broader idea of utility.

Examples include: “Det er nyttesløst å bruke flere timer på dette.” and “Dette er et nyttesløst forslag.” The term is a standard part of Norwegian lexicon for expressing that continued effort or resources would not yield meaningful results. See also related terms such as nytte and nytteverdi.