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
Attempting to rank those Game 7s – one was technically a Game 8, in 1912, because an early-Series game was halted due to darkness – is futile.
—
Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Indeed, sometimes the nomination committees make a point of trying to avoid the big-studio pictures in a perhaps futile attempt to keep the Gothams’ independent spirit alive.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, over on the blanket, Hine and Lemmon begin a rather futile attempt to teach the rest of us backgammon.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025
Understanding each other is futile.
—Jake Coyle, Boston Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for futile
Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Indeed, sometimes the nomination committees make a point of trying to avoid the big-studio pictures in a perhaps futile attempt to keep the Gothams’ independent spirit alive.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, over on the blanket, Hine and Lemmon begin a rather futile attempt to teach the rest of us backgammon.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025
Understanding each other is futile.
—Jake Coyle, Boston Herald, 24 Oct. 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
-
The brazen, silly grandeur of the piece was astounding.—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The Saturday Night Live alum's vast tattoo collection, at one point made up of around 200 pieces of body art, includes ink dedicated to his former girlfriends, as well as more silly, lighthearted designs.—
Nicholas Rice,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Pattinson plays the character’s increasingly useless husband.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
-
My French was useless—I was also considered a tourist by association.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The pictures, show the tabby cat in the most awkward positions, from sitting like a frog, to biting his toenails, and just being generally goofy.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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The best part of the movie might be the goofy post-credits dance scene between Farrell and co-star Tilda Swinton.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The vibe was convivial and giddy, like a summer-camp reunion.—
Anna Russell,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
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California Republicans, going into their annual convention in September, were almost giddy about the redistricting fight, calling it a gift for momentum and unity.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Futile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/futile. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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