1
as in unsuccessful
producing no results
the prison is so well guarded that all attempts to escape have been futile
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in silly
lacking in seriousness or maturity
the futile chatter of gossip columnists about the comings and goings of Hollywood celebrities
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of futile
Harold is known as the last Anglo-Saxon king who strove valiantly against invading threats, but whose efforts were ultimately futile, Wright added.
—
Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
Even with the spotlight, Méndez said the debate feels futile.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 14 Mar. 2026
Even subtle futile cycles – processes in which molecules are repeatedly built and broken down – consume energy and generate heat.
—Claudio Villanueva, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2026
But even spot-on strategies are futile if electoral oversight is in the hands of conspiracy theorists like Kurt Olsen, the White House Director of Election Security and Integrity.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for futile
Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
Even with the spotlight, Méndez said the debate feels futile.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 14 Mar. 2026
Even subtle futile cycles – processes in which molecules are repeatedly built and broken down – consume energy and generate heat.
—Claudio Villanueva, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2026
But even spot-on strategies are futile if electoral oversight is in the hands of conspiracy theorists like Kurt Olsen, the White House Director of Election Security and Integrity.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for futile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for futile
Adjective
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Attempts to get a comment from the district office were unsuccessful.—
Clifford Ward,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Corrections staff attempted life-saving measures but were unsuccessful, according to the MDOC.—
Joseph Buczek,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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And the hour-long results that premiere on the platform Friday are a mix of the cerebral and silly that audiences have come to expect from the Problemista filmmaker and former Saturday Night Live writer.—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
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Now, though, to look only at coaches with UNC already on their resume would be silly.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Bernadine appeared to be useless—or, worse, a potential double agent.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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Sending your resume into the void has never felt more useless.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Six women in motorcycle jackets saunter onto the stage at the Coronado Historical Association, dancing to a goofy opening number.—
Barbara Bry,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Mar. 2026
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Nicolas Winding Refn’s second collaboration with Gosling could have been goofy as hell.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Lanzone, 55, finally got his chance after the private equity firm Apollo Global Management paid $5 billion to take over Yahoo in September 2021 — a fraction of its peak $125 billion market value reached during the dot-com boom’s giddy days in early 2000.—
Michael Liedtke,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
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The Braves have every reason to feel giddy about their latest Sale investment.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Futile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/futile. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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