Synonyms of futile

futile

adjective

ˈfyü-tᵊl 

1

as in unsuccessful

producing no results

the prison is so well guarded that all attempts to escape have been futile

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unsuccessful
• useless
• unavailing
• fruitless
• vain
• ineffective
• in vain
• unprofitable
• impossible
• abortive
• ineffectual
• unproductive
• insufficient
• worthless
• meaningless
• inadequate
• profitless
• of no avail
• inefficacious
• bootless
• pointless
• barren
• not worth the candle
• empty
• otiose
• no dice
• valueless
• lost
• hollow
• hopeless
• idle
• lacking
• unattainable
• counterproductive
• no-win
• wanting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• successful
• effective
• efficient
• profitable
• fruitful
• productive
• worthwhile
• virtuous
• deadly
• meaningful
• potent
• sufficient
• adequate
• efficacious
• effectual
• practical
• feasible
• applicable
• functional
• workable
• practicable
• usable
• realizable

2

as in silly

lacking in seriousness or maturity

the futile chatter of gossip columnists about the comings and goings of Hollywood celebrities

Synonyms & Similar Words

• silly
• goofy
• giddy
• frivolous
• foolish
• playful
• puerile
• harebrained
• scatterbrained
• ditzy
• inane
• happy
• dizzy
• yeasty
• frothy
• light-minded
• flighty
• crazy
• thoughtless
• featherbrained
• fatuous
• nonsensical
• scatty
• superficial
• shallow
• light-headed
• birdbrained
• witless
• daft
• flippant
• exuberant
• daffy
• lighthearted
• light
• giggly
• sappy
• fluttery
• fruity

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• serious
• earnest
• sober
• grave
• thoughtful
• melancholy
• somber
• unfrivolous
• heavy
• severe
• serious-minded
• solemn
• dignified
• staid
• sedate
• no-nonsense

Synonym Chooser

How is the word futile different from other adjectives like it?

The words fruitless and vain are common synonyms of futile. While all three words mean "producing no result," futile may connote completeness of failure or unwisdom of undertaking.

resistance had proved so futile that surrender was the only choice left

How do fruitless and vain relate to one another, in the sense of futile?

Fruitless comes close to vain but often suggests long and arduous effort or severe disappointment.

fruitless efforts to obtain a lasting peace

When could vain be used to replace futile?

The words vain and futile can be used in similar contexts, but vain usually implies simple failure to achieve a desired result.

a vain attempt to get the car started

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of futile

To be fair, Operation Southern Spear is no more futile than the efforts carried out under previous administrations. — Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026

All that guessing will create herding and noise trading as the crowd chases the crowd like a dog chases its tail, in a futile attempt to get ahead of the next unpredictable change in what humors the Big Player. — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026

Government and industry opposition can make progress feel unrealistic, futile, or out of reach. — Anandita Sabherwal, Time, 3 Aug. 2026

However, year after year, predicting Preller’s midsummer machinations has proved a largely futile endeavor. — Dennis Lin, New York Times, 30 July 2026

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