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
That’s Nebraska’s list of NCAA futility.
—
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
After months of futility on the negotiation front, things have gotten serious.
—Sports Columnist, San Francisco Chronicle, 12 Mar. 2026
This stretch of this type of season could easily adopt a tone of futility.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
After nearly a decade of futility that’s left them with the NBA’s longest current playoff drought, the Hornets (30-31) are growing up.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for futility
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
After months of futility on the negotiation front, things have gotten serious.
—Sports Columnist, San Francisco Chronicle, 12 Mar. 2026
This stretch of this type of season could easily adopt a tone of futility.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
After nearly a decade of futility that’s left them with the NBA’s longest current playoff drought, the Hornets (30-31) are growing up.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for futility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for futility
Noun
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The fear of uselessness explains why the banker Eric Tao (Ken Leung) leaves a cushy retirement to get back to finance, even at the cost of neglecting his kids.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Holding back tears, Marta called out the uselessness of comparing this season to last year’s championship run.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
For her and many other Iranians who spoke to CNN – their surnames withheld to protect their identities – the past three weeks have been filled with a sense of hopelessness and fear.—
Leila Gharagozlou,
CNN Money,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Depression and hopelessness are at their highest ever measured.—
Ariel David,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
If injuries or ineffectiveness hit the rotation, the Angels will have little hope of covering that deficiency with their offense or bullpen.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Stroud’s struggles also contributed to Kirk’s ineffectiveness.—
Matt Barrows,
New York Times,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The impunity of the powerful was measured by the inefficacy of the outraged.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2026
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When on day five of his mayoralty Zohran Mamdani acknowledged the inefficacy of homeless sweeps and avowed to end them, street homeless adults, advocates, and attorneys rejoiced.—
Deborah Berkman,
New York Daily News,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Caroline’s anguish and her ineffectuality at making progress in finding Gabriel make for some frustrating moments as a reader.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But one series with four minutes remaining highlighted the fruitlessness of this effort.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The state has sent Dole four notices of deficiency about the dam since 2009 and five years ago fined the company $20,000 for failing to address safety deficiencies on time, according to records.—
Jennifer Sinco Kelleher,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2026
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Before injections became routine, up to about 1 in 60 babies suffered vitamin K deficiency bleeding, which can also affect the gastrointestinal tract.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Futility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/futility. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
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