Naught

Naught, often spelled nought, signifies nothingness, zero, or the absence of something. It can represent a lack of value, importance, or significance. It's a term with a strong sense of negation, implying the non-existence of a thing or an attribute. Derived from Old English, 'naught' carries a weight of finality, emphasizing the absence of any positive quality or presence. It can be used to describe the worthlessness of an object, the failure of an endeavor, or the emptiness of a concept. The word's archaic flavor contributes to its use in literature and philosophical discussions, heightening the sense of absolute emptiness or utter lack.

Naught meaning with examples

• The alchemist's experiment yielded Naught but smoke and frustration, all the promised gold reduced to nothing. Despite their tireless efforts, the team's project came to Naught due to unforeseen setbacks, a bitter lesson in the fragility of plans. Her boasts of riches proved hollow, amounting to Naught in the face of real poverty and revealing her shallow nature. The artist, haunted by failure, felt their talent had been for Naught, seeing no recognition for their work, and all their artistic efforts were as if they never happened.
• The once grand empire was reduced to Naught by internal strife and external pressures, leaving behind a hollow shell of its former glory. Despite all her careful preparations, the competition resulted in Naught, as she was unexpectedly disqualified. His promises of lasting love and devotion amounted to Naught after his quick infidelity, the relationship lost and forgotten. The gambler's winning streak turned to Naught as he continued to chase his losses, squandering his fortune and bringing his life to ruin.
• The philosopher pondered the concept of Naught, questioning the nature of existence when set against the void of nothingness. All their efforts for kindness amounted to Naught when the beneficiary was cruel. The king's attempts to appease the rebellious populace came to Naught, exacerbating the unrest and pushing the nation closer to civil war. The scientific theory was based on Naught, as all the available data disproved the original hypothesis.
• In the wake of the disaster, all material possessions were revealed to be Naught, only the survival of their loved ones mattered. The intricate plot, painstakingly crafted over months, ultimately came to Naught when a single slip of the tongue exposed everything. Her attempts at persuasion, laden with empty promises, came to Naught as the person was wise to her manipulative tricks. After hours of research the scientist's conclusions came to Naught when their research partner was proven fraudulent.