exercise in futility

noun phrase

: an activity that is not successful or worthwhile
The negotiations turned out to be an exercise in futility.

Examples of exercise in futility in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Trying to describe the film’s plot is an exercise in futility. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2025 Any engagement with Republicans while President Donald Trump claims the power to rewrite spending at will is an exercise in futility, akin to drafting a contract with someone who declares their intent to rewrite the terms to their liking after signing. Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025 Trying to stick wet surfaces together is an exercise in futility, as the water molecules form a barrier between the surface and molecules in the adhesive. Michael Irving, New Atlas, 26 Feb. 2025 The goalkeeper’s dive to try to save it was a captivating exercise in futility. The Athletic Uk Staff, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025 Trump’s ability to dismiss or pardon Adams’s federal crimes would become an exercise in futility as the result of an indictment against Adams from the Manhattan DA for New York state crimes. Nick Akerman, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2025 Forbes contributor Lisa Bodell wrote in 2022 that the New Year’s Resolution is an exercise in futility because research shows that 80% of people give them up by February. Mary Crossan, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024 Clearly, digging into Ducati’s specific positioning for the new V2 quickly becomes an exercise in futility, other than marveling at the power-to-weight ratio. Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 Speculating at how the Ravens rank the prospects from their top areas of need (offensive line, edge rusher, wide receiver and cornerback) is an exercise in futility. Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic, 23 Apr. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Exercise in futility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exercise%20in%20futility. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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