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.

Expectations of any major breakthroughs were low, with Hezbollah's leader Naim Qassem calling for the talks to be scrapped before they even began, describing them as "futile".

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

In today’s coarsened climate, fretting about rules of politeness seems futile.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

Standing in front of him every day and trying to ask him salient questions was often futile.

From Salon • Jan. 23, 2026

After her attempts to hide from the colectivos proved futile, Irma decided she had to start over somewhere new.

From Slate • Jan. 15, 2026

He explored shaft after shaft to the end of the spool, calling softly as he went—but it was futile.

From "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH" by Robert C. O'Brien

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