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
For the next 130 years, Smith won one CIAA conference title, in 1969, and was generally a poster child for football futility.
—
Langston Wertz Jr, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2026
The deepest reason for this near-universal futility is that most of us remain imprisoned by the delusions of the ego, suffering from alternating cravings and revulsions.
—Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
Angels owner Arte Moreno’s comments in spring training, suggesting surveys had shown fans were more confirmed with affordability and a safe environment than a winning team, are going to reverberate for a good while, at least as long as the team’s futility continues.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 18 May 2026
But some experts emphasize that the era of synthetic drugs underlines the need to address the root factors that make users seek out drugs, given the futility of targeting a supply that’s constantly expanding and shifting.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for futility
Langston Wertz Jr, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2026
The deepest reason for this near-universal futility is that most of us remain imprisoned by the delusions of the ego, suffering from alternating cravings and revulsions.
—Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
Angels owner Arte Moreno’s comments in spring training, suggesting surveys had shown fans were more confirmed with affordability and a safe environment than a winning team, are going to reverberate for a good while, at least as long as the team’s futility continues.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 18 May 2026
But some experts emphasize that the era of synthetic drugs underlines the need to address the root factors that make users seek out drugs, given the futility of targeting a supply that’s constantly expanding and shifting.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for futility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for futility
Noun
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The goal isn't to restrict agents into uselessness.—
Ajay Pundhir,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2026
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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
Noun
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There were scandals and heartbreak and dysfunction and, worst of all, a hopelessness.—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
14 June 2026
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That essay, written in 1940 — the same year Native Son was published — is suffused with profound hopelessness for what was indeed to come.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
Noun
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That statement stood in stark contrast to the longstanding stodginess of the Kings, which dissipated into flat-out ineffectiveness under Jim Hiller for three quarters of last season until he was sacked.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
11 June 2026
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Brunson’s ineffectiveness throughout the night.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
9 June 2026
Noun
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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
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But one series with four minutes remaining highlighted the fruitlessness of this effort.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The growing calls for accountability come as a local animal rescue founder has filed a lawsuit against the City of San Jose, alleging serious deficiencies in shelter operations.—
Maddie White,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
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Iron and vitamin D deficiencies can both cause fatigue, but iron deficiency tends to have a more direct and noticeable effect on energy, especially in women with heavy periods.—
Sara Hoffman,
Verywell Health,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Futility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/futility. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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