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.
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Recent Examples of futility
Goldman Sachs and the conservative-leaning Tax Foundation both found that the tax boosts and tariffs would essentially cancel each other out (or worse), making this a potential exercise in economic futility.
—
Quartz Staff, Quartz, 21 May 2025
In the Modern Era (since 1900), the Rockies stand alone in their futility.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 15 May 2025
Adrift and emasculated, Stan is less a patriarch than the defeated captain of a sinking ship, drowning in his futility.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
The loss pushed Yeshiva’s record of futility into triple digits.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for futility
Quartz Staff, Quartz, 21 May 2025
In the Modern Era (since 1900), the Rockies stand alone in their futility.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 15 May 2025
Adrift and emasculated, Stan is less a patriarch than the defeated captain of a sinking ship, drowning in his futility.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
The loss pushed Yeshiva’s record of futility into triple digits.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for futility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for futility
Noun
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As research highlighted the inefficacy and unintended consequences of these laws, states rolled them back or modified them, mostly by partially repealing them or reducing the severity of mandatory sentences.—
John Leverso,
The Conversation,
26 Feb. 2025
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The solution is to test AI agents thoroughly to identify any inefficacies.—
Theo Schnitfink,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Studies show that patients not meeting the diagnostic criteria for testosterone deficiency are still being prescribed testosterone therapy, often based on vague symptoms.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
24 June 2025
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Grassley cited a Government Accountability Office report issued last year that detailed deficiencies in the program’s management dating back to 2009.—
Ryan J. Foley,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Futility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/futility. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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