futility

noun

fu·​til·​i·​ty fyü-ˈti-lə-tē 

plural futilities

1

: the quality or state of being futile : uselessness

His speech focused on the futility of violence.

2

: a useless act or gesture

the futilities of debate for its own sake

—W. A. White

Examples of futility in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Unfortunately, since that run, Craig has been on a nasty futility streak. —Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025

Scrappy and opportunistic, undeterred by mistakes or bouts with futility. —Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025

Nosaka’s use of these terms could be interpreted as emphasizing the futility of Seita’s death, and possibly ​justifying—or at least ​explaining—his own behavior. —Ginny Tapley Takemori september 4, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025

The White Sox, yes, those White Sox who lost a modern-era record 121 games last year, have attendance more commensurate with their futility. —Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 30 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French and Latin; French futilité, going back to Middle French, borrowed from Latin fūtilitāt-, fūtilitās (also futtilitāt-, futtilitās) "unprofitableness, uselessness," from fūtilis, futtilis "brittle, fragile (of containers), serving no purpose, pointless" + -itāt- -itās -ity — more at futile

First Known Use

circa 1623, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing futility

• exercise in futility

Rhymes for futility

• ability
• agility
• civility
• debility
• docility
• ductility
• facility
• fertility
• fragility
• gentility
• hostility
• humility

Kids Definition

futility

noun

fu·​til·​i·​ty ˌfyu̇-ˈtil-ət-ē 

plural futilities

1

: the quality or state of being futile

2

: a useless act