futile

[fyoot-l, fyoo-tahyl] / ˈfyut l, ˈfyu taɪl /

ADJECTIVE

hopeless, pointless

Synonyms

STRONGEST

fruitless hollow impractical ineffective ineffectual insufficient trivial unproductive unprofitable unsuccessful useless vain worthless

WEAK

abortive barren bootless delusive empty exhausted forlorn idle impracticable in vain no dice nugatory on a treadmill otiose out the window profitless resultless save one's breath sterile to no avail to no effect to no purpose trifling unavailing unimportant unneeded unreal unsatisfactory unsubstantial valueless

Antonyms

STRONGEST

effective fruitful helpful productive profitable successful useful valuable worthwhile

WEAK

hopeful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"When you're really deeply in love, it feels like a song is so futile," she says.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

A team led by Lawrence Kazak at McGill University's Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute has now identified the molecular trigger for this alternative system, known as the futile creatine cycle.

From Science Daily • May 12, 2026

That pliancy is part of what makes the term fun to use, and also why applying it to anyone so freely is a futile exercise.

From Salon • May 10, 2026

In some school districts, including Wichita, efforts to block all or part of the platform proved futile.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

Pump boys were feverishly bringing water to the great tubs —it was one of those futile castles, which appear to have originated in Ireland, whose bailey was without a well.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

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