a futile effort.
a life essentially purposeless.
a pointless remark.
advice is wasted words.
an indolent hanger-on.
an otiose undertaking.
an unavailing attempt.
faineant kings under whose rule the country languished.
otiose lines in a play.
senseless violence.
shiftless idle youth.
slothful employees.
the therapy was ineffectual.
the unemployed are not necessarily work-shy.
too lazy to wash the dishes.