When someone wastes their effort, it can be frustrating and even demoralizing. It's a waste of time and energy that could have been better spent elsewhere. Fortunately, there are many synonyms for "wastes one's effort" that can help us express this feeling and avoid repetition. Some examples include "spins one's wheels," "throws away energy," "squanders effort," "futile venture," "fruitless endeavor," "misdirected attempt," "vain pursuit," "unproductive labor," and "pointless pursuit." Each of these phrases conveys a slightly different nuance of the idea of wasted effort, allowing us to be more expressive and precise in our communication.