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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of futility
Michael’s commercial reception may seem to show the futility of trying to litigate truth regarding someone as once-beloved as its subject.
—
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
Those two films are commonly described as meditations on the futility of violence in a world where justice takes the form of endless attacks and reprisals.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Wembanyama was making his playoff debut against Portland for a franchise and city that is longing for postseason success after six seasons of futility.
—ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
The agony of America’s post-1945 wars has been their gradual inducement of a sense of futility.
—Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for futility
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
Those two films are commonly described as meditations on the futility of violence in a world where justice takes the form of endless attacks and reprisals.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Wembanyama was making his playoff debut against Portland for a franchise and city that is longing for postseason success after six seasons of futility.
—ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
The agony of America’s post-1945 wars has been their gradual inducement of a sense of futility.
—Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books, 9 Apr. 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
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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
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The other featured a comeback that saw hopelessness turn into jubilation.—
Peter Warren,
Houston Chronicle,
28 Mar. 2026
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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
Noun
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So Tidwell could emerge as a rotation candidate if the team needs a remedy for injury or ineffectiveness of a member of the Giants’ starting five.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2026
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Delaying this only demonstrates the organization’s ineffectiveness in today’s NBA.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Apr. 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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Common vitamin D deficiency symptoms include fatigue, muscle weakness, bone pain, frequent illness and low mood.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
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Correcting a deficiency is one of the lowest-effort, highest-return moves in everyday health optimization — and the research behind it keeps getting more compelling.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Futility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/futility. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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