futile

1 producing no results the prison is so well guarded that all attempts to escape have been futile Synonyms abortive, barren, bootless, empty, fruitless, ineffective, ineffectual, inefficacious, otiose, profitless, unavailing, unproductive, unprofitable, unsuccessful, useless, vain Related Words hollow, idle, meaningless, pointless, valueless, worthless; hopeless, impossible, lost, no-win, unattainable; inadequate, insufficient, lacking, wanting; counterproductive Phrases in vain, no dice, not worth the candle, of no avail Near Antonyms meaningful, worthwhile; adequate, sufficient; applicable, feasible, functional, practicable, practical, realizable, usable (also useable), workable Antonyms deadly, effective, effectual, efficacious, efficient, fruitful, potent, productive, profitable, successful, virtuous

2 lacking in seriousness or maturity the futile chatter of gossip columnists about the comings and goings of Hollywood celebrities Synonyms birdbrained, ditzy (or ditsy), dizzy, featherbrained, flighty, frivolous, frothy, giddy, goofy, harebrained, light-headed, light-minded, puerile, scatterbrained, silly, yeastyRelated Words fatuous, foolish, inane, nonsensical, thoughtless, witless; crazy, daffy, daft, fruity; exuberant, flippant, fluttery, giggly, happy, light, lighthearted, playful; sappy, shallow, superficialNear Antonyms grave, melancholy, somber (or sombre), thoughtful; dignified, heavy, no-nonsense, sedate, severe, solemn, staidAntonyms earnest, serious, serious-minded, sober, unfrivolous