futility

noun

Definition of futilitynext
as in uselessness
the quality or state of being useless The two engaged in a long discussion on the futility of war. He felt saddened by the apparent futility of his efforts to console her.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of futility But given the profundity of her subject matter and the near-universal awe her art inspires, perhaps this sense of futility gestures at the incomprehensible, even transcendent aura around Petviashvili’s works. — The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 28 July 2026 The win snapped Miami’s 12-game losing streak, a run of futility that began on July 10. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 28 July 2026 Apparently, Lonnie hasn’t made a cut in seven years, a remarkable level of futility especially given that the show can’t even commit to suggesting that Lonnie’s game is spectacularly bad. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026 Worse yet, that futility led to captain and Detroit native Dylan Larkin asking for a trade. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for futility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for futility
  1. uselessness
  2. hopelessness
  3. ineffectiveness
  4. inefficacy
  5. ineffectuality
  6. fruitlessness
  7. deficiency
Noun
  • The goal isn't to restrict agents into uselessness.
    — Ajay Pundhir, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2026
  • The fear of uselessness explains why the banker Eric Tao (Ken Leung) leaves a cushy retirement to get back to finance, even at the cost of neglecting his kids.
    — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
Definition of uselessness
Noun
  • Although the wealthy Gulf oil states and small slivers of Arab elites flourished within this system, for most people the American order meant only violence, hopelessness, and deprivation.
    — MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
  • But in recent months and years, a sense of hopelessness has increasingly gripped those still remaining on the island.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of hopelessness
Noun
  • Cabrera’s return was short-lived, as the right-hander is once again dealing with a blister issue on top of more ineffectiveness.
    — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The commission has been plagued by partisan infighting and ineffectiveness, as well as chronic vacancies and a lack of funding.
    — Jen Fifield, ProPublica, 10 July 2026
Definition of ineffectiveness
Noun
  • The impunity of the powerful was measured by the inefficacy of the outraged.
    — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2026
  • When on day five of his mayoralty Zohran Mamdani acknowledged the inefficacy of homeless sweeps and avowed to end them, street homeless adults, advocates, and attorneys rejoiced.
    — Deborah Berkman, New York Daily News, 24 Feb. 2026
Definition of inefficacy
Noun
  • Caroline’s anguish and her ineffectuality at making progress in finding Gabriel make for some frustrating moments as a reader.
    — John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Definition of ineffectuality
Noun
  • But one series with four minutes remaining highlighted the fruitlessness of this effort.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Definition of fruitlessness
Noun
  • Ultimately, underperformance often signals leadership deficiencies, including poor recruitment and inadequate team management, rather than external market forces.
    — Bill Holmes, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Some experts have interpreted this update as focusing on optimizing health as opposed to ensuring adequate protein intake to avoid deficiency.
    — Linda M. Boland, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of deficiency

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futility
futon
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Cite this Entry

“Futility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/futility. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of futility for Spanish Speakers

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