Synonyms of futile

futile

adjective

ˈfyü-tᵊl 

1

as in unsuccessful

producing no results

the prison is so well guarded that all attempts to escape have been futile

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unsuccessful
• useless
• unavailing
• fruitless
• vain
• ineffective
• in vain
• unprofitable
• impossible
• abortive
• ineffectual
• unproductive
• insufficient
• worthless
• meaningless
• inadequate
• profitless
• of no avail
• inefficacious
• bootless
• pointless
• barren
• not worth the candle
• empty
• otiose
• no dice
• valueless
• lost
• hollow
• hopeless
• idle
• lacking
• unattainable
• counterproductive
• no-win
• wanting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• successful
• effective
• efficient
• profitable
• fruitful
• productive
• worthwhile
• virtuous
• deadly
• meaningful
• potent
• sufficient
• adequate
• efficacious
• effectual
• practical
• feasible
• applicable
• functional
• workable
• practicable
• usable
• realizable

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

• silly
• goofy
• giddy
• frivolous
• foolish
• playful
• puerile
• harebrained
• scatterbrained
• ditzy
• inane
• happy
• dizzy
• yeasty
• frothy
• light-minded
• flighty
• crazy
• thoughtless
• featherbrained
• fatuous
• nonsensical
• scatty
• superficial
• shallow
• light-headed
• birdbrained
• witless
• daft
• flippant
• exuberant
• daffy
• lighthearted
• light
• giggly
• sappy
• fluttery
• fruity

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• serious
• earnest
• sober
• grave
• thoughtful
• melancholy
• somber
• unfrivolous
• heavy
• severe
• serious-minded
• solemn
• dignified
• staid
• sedate
• no-nonsense

Synonym Chooser

How is the word futile different from other adjectives like it?

The words fruitless and vain are common synonyms of futile. While all three words mean "producing no result," futile may connote completeness of failure or unwisdom of undertaking.

resistance had proved so futile that surrender was the only choice left

How do fruitless and vain relate to one another, in the sense of futile?

Fruitless comes close to vain but often suggests long and arduous effort or severe disappointment.

fruitless efforts to obtain a lasting peace

When could vain be used to replace futile?

The words vain and futile can be used in similar contexts, but vain usually implies simple failure to achieve a desired result.

a vain attempt to get the car started

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of futile

Not that Georgian masculinity, with its macho, bellicose posturing and archaic codes of honor, is portrayed as anything other than fumbling and futile. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026

Costarring Katey Sagal, Amy Davidson, James Garner, and David Spade, the series followed the futile attempts of Ritter’s Paul Hennessy and Sagal’s Cate Hennessy to tame their rebellious teenage daughter, Bridget (Cuoco). — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026

But this is the second consecutive offseason Duren has negotiated for a new deal, and those attempts, thus far, have proven futile. — Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

The truth is, many more elk are hunted after the rut has ended, when bugling attempts are futile. — Jim Zumbo, Outdoor Life, 10 Sep. 2026

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