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
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
To see Rizo off on his futile tardy-to-the-party advantage hunt, check out the scene above, and also make sure to read our full Survivor 49 finale recap.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Dec. 2025
This cautiously optimistic book offers a welcome respite from futile, endless debates over migration.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for futile
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
To see Rizo off on his futile tardy-to-the-party advantage hunt, check out the scene above, and also make sure to read our full Survivor 49 finale recap.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Dec. 2025
This cautiously optimistic book offers a welcome respite from futile, endless debates over migration.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for futile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for futile
Adjective
-
But her appeal was unsuccessful.—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Industry lobbying unsuccessful to date Some advocates for the restaurant industry have been lobbying to change the way service fees are treated.—
Cheryl Winokur Munk,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
To say the road to the Super Bowl goes through Jacksonville sounds silly in the NFL’s grand scheme, but for a talented and decorated Bills group that never has won there, that’s the first stop on the quest.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Citing the Monroe Doctrine is silly.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Brown’s statement on Monday was mostly useless corporate-speak.—
Paul Dehner Jr,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
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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
-
Norman spoke with Mixed Asian Media about her role in the show and how playing a hard-working ballet dancer compared to her real-life goofier and more extroverted personality.—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
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Ross was fairly goofy in his courtships of coaches Jim Harbaugh and Sean Payton and quarterback Tom Brady.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Parrish, giddy with excitement, led us into the water.—
Henry Wismayer,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Jan. 2026
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There would be no third consecutive title, no hoisting of the championship cup over heads, no giddy laughter or shouts of joy.—
Tris Wykes,
Twin Cities,
3 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Futile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/futile. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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