exercise in futility

noun phrase

: an activity that is not successful or worthwhile

The negotiations turned out to be an exercise in futility.

Examples of exercise in futility in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Any attempt at driving normally is an exercise in futility with the rear-wheel-drive RV handling like a shopping cart full of bricks. — Jason Bennett, Arkansas Online, 19 July 2026

At some point, the effort ceases to be practical policy and becomes an exercise in futility. — Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2026

So this annual four-day event at Mohegan Sun Arena tends to be an exercise in futility for the other 10 teams, though Villanova, at least, figures to join the Huskies in the NCAA Tournament, and a rite of passage into March Madness for UConn. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2026

As the teams are announced, stewards sponge off the water pooling on seats, an exercise in futility. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026

Rhymes for exercise in futility

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