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

The sting of October futility is why Suárez, who pitched an excellent five innings in Wednesday’s win, was the last man on the dugout bench Thursday after the Dodgers walked it off. —Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025

This commenter points out the futility of the backlash, suggesting that critics have little power to change the NFL’s choice and that the negativity is ultimately pointless. —Joshua Sammons, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025

Episode 2 of Survivor 49 featured more tribe futility, a twist that ended up not really going anywhere, and a special cameo by the Easter Bunny. —Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025

The Yankees’ futility at the plate in a dire situation was historic, according to Opta Stats. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 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