In an unprofitable manner; without profit, gain, benefit, advantage, or use; to no good purpose or effect.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
ad. without gain or profit
ad. in an unproductive manner
Word Usage
"During those fifteen to sixteen years, we had spent a great deal of time, a great deal of effort, and a great deal of money in unprofitably pursuing this development."