1
as in unsuccessful
producing no results
the prison is so well guarded that all attempts to escape have been futile
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of futile
However, these attempts are futile, and such baseless rumors will ultimately be consigned to the dustbin of history.
—
Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
Impeachment is seen as a largely futile effort, given the near-zero chance that at least 14 Senate Democrats would join Republicans in convicting and removing any of the judges.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 25 Mar. 2025
But there’s also a sense that the protests of Trump’s first term were ultimately futile.
—Kevin A. Young, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2025
More importantly, the 1965-85 period taught us that attempts at Keynesian micromanagement are not only futile, but counterproductive.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for futile
Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
Impeachment is seen as a largely futile effort, given the near-zero chance that at least 14 Senate Democrats would join Republicans in convicting and removing any of the judges.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 25 Mar. 2025
But there’s also a sense that the protests of Trump’s first term were ultimately futile.
—Kevin A. Young, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2025
More importantly, the 1965-85 period taught us that attempts at Keynesian micromanagement are not only futile, but counterproductive.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for futile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for futile
Adjective
-
June became hopeful that the American rescue mission would lead to a reunion with her daughter, but that was unsuccessful.—
Abigail Lee,
Variety,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Last year, Harry’s legal action against the Home Office was unsuccessful and the court initially refused him permission to appeal.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
This strategy worked for him for about 10 years—and then began to bore him silly.—
Art Spiegelman,
The Atlantic,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Props to the people who green-lit Angry Birds to give kids a silly movie about infanticide.—
Jordan Crucchiola,
Vulture,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
For most of us, our inbox goals are the same: minimize useless spam, file away messages that don’t require your attention right away, and bring urgent items to the forefront.—
Aytekin Tank,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
His devastating splitter would be useless without first establishing everything else in the strike zone.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Pearl Breed: Pit terrier mix Age: 2 years old Pearl is a cuddly, goofy, playful pup looking for her forever home.—
Trish Stinger,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Betty’s world is introduced with real decor, like a big grey bed and an amusingly goofy invention of Grampy’s, but the handmade quality falls by the wayside as most of the rest of David Rockwell’s sets are conjured via that old menace, the big flat LED screen.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The Front Range faithful who two summers ago lined the streets of downtown Denver, giddy to the last.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
12 Apr. 2025
-
By turns giddy, anxious, and despairing, these poems have endeared him to generations of ordinary readers who find in the tempestuous and ultimately brokenhearted poet a strikingly modern and profoundly accessible figure.—
Daniel Mendelsohn,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Futile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/futile. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share