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
Cohen did give the now-former mayor a single prop, while bulldozing Cooper’s futile fact-checking attempts.
—
Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 1 Jan. 2026
How futile was just about anything Tech tried on offense?
—Kevin Sherrington
jan. 1, Dallas Morning News, 1 Jan. 2026
This year, holiday gatherings were scrapped, the single father’s Christmas budget was slashed in half, and his credit cards were glutted from months of futile efforts to keep up with the rising cost of living.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 31 Dec. 2025
When applying for countless roles feels like a mysterious and futile process, a resume builder can help guide the process.
—K. H. Koehler, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for futile
Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 1 Jan. 2026
How futile was just about anything Tech tried on offense?
—Kevin Sherrington
jan. 1, Dallas Morning News, 1 Jan. 2026
This year, holiday gatherings were scrapped, the single father’s Christmas budget was slashed in half, and his credit cards were glutted from months of futile efforts to keep up with the rising cost of living.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 31 Dec. 2025
When applying for countless roles feels like a mysterious and futile process, a resume builder can help guide the process.
—K. H. Koehler, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for futile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for futile
Adjective
-
These therapies are not universally successful, of course, but can often save lives and defeat cancers where other methods are unsuccessful.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Symptoms include cravings, unsuccessful quit attempts, tolerance and withdrawal.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Huw just waiting for him without involving the police or having really any plan whatsoever is just as silly.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Wain was joined by stars Ken Marino (who co-wrote the film), Zoey Deutch, John Slattery, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Sabrina Impacciatore, and Ben Wang to reminisce about making their unapologetically silly comedy.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Brown’s statement on Monday was mostly useless corporate-speak.—
Paul Dehner Jr,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
-
This tiny amount of copper acts as a molecular steering wheel, preventing sugar molecules from shattering into useless carbon dioxide.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Sabrina Carpenter’s song about guys being goofy and Bad Bunny’s single about wishing to be more present in fleeting moments might’ve been more pertinent to a rough last year animated by masculine aggression.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The Broward County rapper serves a goofy mash-up of Haitian party music and regional drug rap.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
That’s why Adams wasn’t exactly giddy when the road-warrior Rams defeated the Carolina Panthers in the Wild Card round or the Chicago Bears in last weekend’s Divisional Round.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
24 Jan. 2026
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There is regret for not having spent more time in Rwanda’s beautiful capital, a mounting excitement about entering its wildscapes, and the giddy anticipation for my first sighting of a mountain gorilla in its natural habitat.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Futile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/futile. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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