Synonyms of futility

futility

noun

as in uselessness

the quality or state of being useless

The two engaged in a long discussion on the futility of war.

He felt saddened by the apparent futility of his efforts to console her.

Related Words

• uselessness
• hopelessness
• ineffectiveness
• inefficacy
• ineffectuality
• fruitlessness
• ineffectualness
• deficiency
• failure
• pointlessness
• vanity
• unprofitableness
• unprofitability
• inadequacy
• meaninglessness
• emptiness
• barrenness
• inadequateness
• insufficiency
• defeat
• disappointment
• inefficaciousness
• senselessness
• setback
• bootlessness
• abortiveness
• unavailingness
• otioseness
• collapse
• letdown
• inaneness
• nonachievement
• nonsuccess
• cropper
• fizzle
• crash

Dissimilar Words

• use
• usefulness
• utility
• service
• benefit
• advantage
• assistance
• account
• mileage
• gain
• avail
• aid
• success
• victory
• help
• serviceability
• serviceableness
• achievement
• accomplishment
• value
• relevance
• applicability
• appropriateness
• fitness
• worth
• profit
• win

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of futility

If New York’s futility continues, those decisions could age disastrously. — Peter Baugh, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

On Thursday, Fried wove that history of futility stretching back to 1998 into a rallying cry. — Liv Caputo, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026

Then there is Chicago Bears fans, who pack the old, outdated Soldier Field, even in frigid temperatures, to watch a their team, despite years of futility. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2026

In the blizzardy hinterlands, boredom is driving two soldiers mad, and a stranger’s arrival only underscores the futility of the war’s propaganda. — Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 10 Aug. 2026