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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of futile
As part of the litigation, Snyder-Hill and his co-plaintiffs have sought to depose Wexner and recently won court approval to subpoena him through alternative means after his attorney refused to accept service and other efforts proved futile.
—
Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Twenty-five launch crew workers were treated for smoke inhalation at the Cape Kennedy dispensary in the aftermath of the futile rescue attempt.
—Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026
At that point, trading citations becomes a futile exercise in parallel monologues.
—Tom W. Johnson, STAT, 26 Jan. 2026
There is simply constant erosion of trust until participation feels futile.
—Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for futile
Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Twenty-five launch crew workers were treated for smoke inhalation at the Cape Kennedy dispensary in the aftermath of the futile rescue attempt.
—Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026
At that point, trading citations becomes a futile exercise in parallel monologues.
—Tom W. Johnson, STAT, 26 Jan. 2026
There is simply constant erosion of trust until participation feels futile.
—Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for futile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for futile
Adjective
-
His work there included an unsuccessful effort to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census, which drew congressional scrutiny.—
Dan Sullivan,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Attempts to reach Coplan and Jones individually were unsuccessful.—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Maybe the Pac-12 and Mountain West will look silly for not buying in, then watch as the NFC West bids against the Premier League and Marvel Cinematic Universe for the Hornets.—
Jason Kirk,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Since then, the fizzy dance challenge has exploded on TikTok, with tons of fans re-creating the clip’s silly dance moves in their kitchens, parking garages, living rooms, Times Square and hospital corridors.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Homeowners and residents are baffled by the attacks upon their beautiful — but otherwise seemingly useless — plants.—
Tribune News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
-
My deep cynicism thinks this was a diabolical plan to herd young people toward expensive, and somewhat useless, college degrees.—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But this movie gets to show so many different types of personalities and characters and boldness and fearlessness, and these su- per-hot, badass women who are also goofy, silly and cute.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2026
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And for one of our goofier episodes, that's a real human, truthful, universal, elegant, touching speech.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The two men at the forefront of the move to the highest level of NCAA Division I college athletics told their giddy and dancing gridiron student-athletes the historic news on Monday morning.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
16 Feb. 2026
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Like their future disciples in PC Music, Scritti Politti were giddy pop fans who approached the form as self-conscious outsiders, foregrounding its artificiality, pushing its bright colors to new extremes, aiming to make great pop records that also asked probing questions about what pop even is.—
Andy Cush,
Pitchfork,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Futile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/futile. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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