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.

Trying to find the cause is an exercise in futility.

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

Along with the life-saving food can be a message for the combatants to choose peace over the futility of war. —William Lambers, Hartford Courant, 19 Jan. 2026

Much of the storyline focuses on the futility of war, violence, and revenge. —Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 15 Jan. 2026

These Ducks, who also made significant roster investments, are now running neck-and-neck with the abject futility of even the Dallas Eakins era. —Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026

But the Bulls also can’t win with his current rim protection — a futility that hangs over the veteran in every game. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026

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