FUTILITY Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

futility

noun

Definition of futility

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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of futility The 59 points allowed set a new Panthers record for futility, eclipsing the 52 points given up twice before. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 13 Sep. 2026 Ballmer’s acquisition of the team in 2014 was seen as a major step toward ending its years-long record of futility, dating to its origin as the Buffalo Braves in 1970. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026 If New York’s futility continues, those decisions could age disastrously. — Peter Baugh, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 On Thursday, Fried wove that history of futility stretching back to 1998 into a rallying cry. — Liv Caputo, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for futility

Recent Examples of Synonyms for futility

Noun

Instead, its central duo define themselves by their utter and unapologetic uselessness.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
The goal isn't to restrict agents into uselessness.

— Ajay Pundhir, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2026

Definition of uselessness

Noun

According to 2025 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a third of youth have persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness — about 10% more than a decade earlier.

— Darius Tahir, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Corruption across the political divide Much of this year’s fatigue traces back to a sense of hopelessness over systemic corruption, which ranks among voters’ biggest concerns, yet neither camp can claim the issue as its own, say experts.

— Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of hopelessness

Noun

What readers are saying The comments express strong opposition to capital punishment, particularly highlighting the botched execution of Christa Pike as an example of its cruelty and ineffectiveness.

— Victoria Craw, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026
However, September continued to showcase the club’s ineffectiveness at the plate.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of ineffectiveness

Noun

The impunity of the powerful was measured by the inefficacy of the outraged.

— Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2026
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

Definition of inefficacy

Browse Nearby Words

futile

futility

futon

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“Futility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/futility. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of futility

noun

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