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
And what life lessons might be buried within his futility?
—
Devon O’Neil, Outside, 15 Oct. 2025
This commenter points out the futility of the backlash, suggesting that critics have little power to change the NFL’s choice and that the negativity is ultimately pointless.
—Joshua Sammons, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Episode 2 of Survivor 49 featured more tribe futility, a twist that ended up not really going anywhere, and a special cameo by the Easter Bunny.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
The Yankees’ futility at the plate in a dire situation was historic, according to Opta Stats.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for futility
Devon O’Neil, Outside, 15 Oct. 2025
This commenter points out the futility of the backlash, suggesting that critics have little power to change the NFL’s choice and that the negativity is ultimately pointless.
—Joshua Sammons, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Episode 2 of Survivor 49 featured more tribe futility, a twist that ended up not really going anywhere, and a special cameo by the Easter Bunny.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
The Yankees’ futility at the plate in a dire situation was historic, according to Opta Stats.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for futility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for futility
Noun
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However, amid the current turmoil in all three branches of our government, the show echoes a tone of hopelessness.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
6 Nov. 2025
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In a world fraught with real-life villains, political upheaval and a collective sense of hopelessness, fantasy steps in to inspire people to carry on, and that rings especially true for LGBTQ+ teens.—
Brittany Johnson,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Mike Vrabel has blamed his squad’s ground ineffectiveness on his RB stable being too ball-security focused.—
Brad Evans,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
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The evidence of its ineffectiveness and risks has led 23 states to pass legislation banning or limiting the use of conversion therapy for minors.—
Allison Parshall,
Scientific American,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Brands that rely solely on AI risk not just irrelevance, but inefficacy.—
Sean DallasKidd,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
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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
Noun
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Mike Vrabel has breathed life into the New England Patriots, guiding them to a 7-2 start while riding a six-game winning streak despite fielding a roster that still has its fair share of deficiencies.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Opponents raised concerns about the cost of new construction and long-term debt, arguing that renovations could have addressed the library’s deficiencies.—
Daniel Hunt,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Futility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/futility. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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