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
The Yankees’ futility at the plate in a dire situation was historic, according to Opta Stats.
—
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025
And DiCaprio has made a brilliant career of playing characters who try to do just that, and often wind up embodying the futility of that ethos.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 26 Sep. 2025
The first is to expose Hamas’s criminality and the futility of its terror, which has led to the annihilation of Gaza.
—Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, The Atlantic, 23 Sep. 2025
The Angels lost, 7-6, to the Colorado Rockies on Friday night, falling to a team that for much of the year was on pace to break record for futility set by the Chicago White Sox last season.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for futility
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025
And DiCaprio has made a brilliant career of playing characters who try to do just that, and often wind up embodying the futility of that ethos.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 26 Sep. 2025
The first is to expose Hamas’s criminality and the futility of its terror, which has led to the annihilation of Gaza.
—Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, The Atlantic, 23 Sep. 2025
The Angels lost, 7-6, to the Colorado Rockies on Friday night, falling to a team that for much of the year was on pace to break record for futility set by the Chicago White Sox last season.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for futility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for futility
Noun
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These could include feelings of overwhelming sadness (despondence), a sense that life will never get better (hopelessness) or actual thoughts of killing themselves.—
Dr. Theresa T. Nguyen,
Boston Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
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Like regular depression, SAD can cause negative feelings like hopelessness, worthlessness, irritability, and guilt; fatigue or reduced energy; a loss of interest in hobbies and activities; and even physical aches and pains (including headaches, cramps, and digestive problems).—
Maggie O'Neill,
SELF,
20 Oct. 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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However, specific groups may be particularly vulnerable to deficiency, and the consequences can be significant.—
Heather Jones,
Verywell Health,
23 Oct. 2025
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That has allowed the Dodgers to hide their deficiencies in the bullpen – and ask less of their offense.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Futility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/futility. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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