futility

noun

fu·​til·​i·​ty fyü-ˈti-lə-tē 

plural futilities

1

: the quality or state of being futile : uselessness

His speech focused on the futility of violence.

2

: a useless act or gesture

the futilities of debate for its own sake

—W. A. White

Examples of futility in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For more than six long months in 2024, the place had been home to an abundance of pain; futility that defied belief or description. —Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025

However, this resolution does nothing to assuage the sense of futility and waste. —Bartolomeo Sala, The Dial, 27 Mar. 2025

When nurses stay silent, whether from fear, futility or institutional pressure, violence becomes an accepted part of the job. —Jason Blomquist, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2025

Ferguson’s loss to Chiesa broke another legend, BJ Penn’s, record for consecutive futility. —Brian Mazique, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French and Latin; French futilité, going back to Middle French, borrowed from Latin fūtilitāt-, fūtilitās (also futtilitāt-, futtilitās) "unprofitableness, uselessness," from fūtilis, futtilis "brittle, fragile (of containers), serving no purpose, pointless" + -itāt- -itās -ity — more at futile

First Known Use

circa 1623, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing futility

• exercise in futility

Rhymes for futility

• ability
• agility
• civility
• debility
• docility
• ductility
• facility
• fertility
• fragility
• gentility
• hostility
• humility

Kids Definition

futility

noun

fu·​til·​i·​ty ˌfyu̇-ˈtil-ət-ē 

plural futilities

1

: the quality or state of being futile

2

: a useless act