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

And as Betts rounded the bases, coolly celebrating his 10th homer of the season with a point to the team’s dugout and bullpen, the futility of his recent struggles quickly faded from memory. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2024

This futility is not treated as disturbing or uneasy, but rather full of possibility. —Kayti Burt, TIME, 7 June 2024

The 1997 Cubs infamously began their season with a National League-record 14-game losing streak, matching their crosstown rivals in ineptitude before Friday when the Sox tried to avoid setting Chicago’s baseball futility record. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2024

The Cubs dropped to .500 with 10 losses in their last 13, including five straight, as the offense’s futility continues to leave little margin for error. —Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2024

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

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