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
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, 31 Mar. 2025
Another recommendation: Attacking Trump’s character, however abhorrent critics may find it, is futile.
—Garry Kasparov, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
Regardless, returning him would be futile, said the president’s aides, as his ultimate fate would be imprisonment, in the United States or elsewhere.
—Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
Lessons For All Leaders Kerr's framework reminds us that hoping for better leadership while maintaining reward systems incentivizing performative politics is futile.
—Nate Bennett, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for futile
Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 31 Mar. 2025
Another recommendation: Attacking Trump’s character, however abhorrent critics may find it, is futile.
—Garry Kasparov, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
Regardless, returning him would be futile, said the president’s aides, as his ultimate fate would be imprisonment, in the United States or elsewhere.
—Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
Lessons For All Leaders Kerr's framework reminds us that hoping for better leadership while maintaining reward systems incentivizing performative politics is futile.
—Nate Bennett, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for futile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for futile
Adjective
-
Each unsuccessful vote will be burned in a furnace with chemicals to dye the plume a black color.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
2 May 2025
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During his unsuccessful 2022 congressional bid, Kent consulted with Nick Fuentes, the young white supremacist, and hired a campaign adviser who was a member of the Proud Boys, a violent far-right group.—
Ali Breland,
The Atlantic,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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But many will, in situations where they’re allowed to stretch out, go deep, get silly, or eat hot wings while trying to answer questions.—
Robert Lloyd,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2025
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Have a Dance Party Clear the furniture, cue up a playlist with all of Mom's favorite hits (and a few silly, kid-friendly jams), and let loose.—
Laura Broadwell,
Parents,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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In one sense, Henry is the kind of useless man who creates hard times with his own passivity.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
30 Apr. 2025
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Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin Like many a controversial Y2K trend, the useless hip belt has made its way back into the sartorial zeitgeist with trendsetters like Emily Ratajkowski and Dua Lipa reviving the aesthetic in recent seasons.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Enough to hope incoming Vanderbilt recruit Chandler Bing is ready for some of the goofy questions coming his way and can pivot to basketball.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
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Regardless, this will be a goofy offseason, so strap in for a sea of rumors and postulations.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The virtuoso sequence that will generate giddy excitement among enthusiasts of Evans’ earlier films is an extended bout of killing and maiming in a nightclub where techno music keeps thumping as bodies keep dropping.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Apr. 2025
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Here are the numbers that got Wall Street giddy: Revenue came in at $10.54 billion, up almost 13% YoY Operating margin hit 31.8%, up from 28.1% last year EPS grew nearly 25% And all this as the rest of tech stumbles around blaming tariffs and macro gloom.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Futile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/futile. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
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