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

An unusual scene unfolded at the beach in Los Angeles County on Thursday morning when a man who was wanted by police ran into the water and stayed in for over an hour in a futile attempt to escape, authorities said. — Jazmin Alvarado, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026

The fact that anything could happen should make this an entertaining — albeit futile — watch. — Mark Carey, New York Times, 16 July 2026

By the late 1970s, the brothers were exhausted by the work of being professional Rosenbergs, and starting to worry that the effort was futile. — Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026

On appeal, the Crown argued the trial judge erred by declining to order a fitness assessment before considering a stay and by concluding such an assessment would be futile. — Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026

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