1
as in unsuccessful
producing no results
the prison is so well guarded that all attempts to escape have been futile
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in silly
lacking in seriousness or maturity
the futile chatter of gossip columnists about the comings and goings of Hollywood celebrities
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Recent Examples of futile
The push was all but futile in the deep-red 14th District: Greene won the race by 32 points.
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Mike Lillis, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
Her efforts seem futile at first, until the girl coughs up water.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 31 Oct. 2024
In 2016, more than 80 percent of Taiwanese people believed that resistance in a potential conflict with China would be futile; by 2022, the proportion of the population expressing this view had nearly halved to 43 percent.
—David Sacks, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2024
After making a futile effort to revive Asahi with chest compressions, Masa orders No. 17 to sleep and then to wake again.
—Chris Klimek, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for futile 
Mike Lillis, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
Her efforts seem futile at first, until the girl coughs up water.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 31 Oct. 2024
In 2016, more than 80 percent of Taiwanese people believed that resistance in a potential conflict with China would be futile; by 2022, the proportion of the population expressing this view had nearly halved to 43 percent.
—David Sacks, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2024
After making a futile effort to revive Asahi with chest compressions, Masa orders No. 17 to sleep and then to wake again.
—Chris Klimek, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for futile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for futile
Adjective
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School’s Punishment of Black Student Suspended Over Hairstyle Doesn’t Violate the Law, Judge Rules Sawicki, who is representing the plaintiff, told the Dallas Morning News that efforts to settle the case out of court were unsuccessful, which led to the filing of the lawsuit.David Chiu, People.com, 27 Dec. 2024
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An attempt to steal an ATM inside the store was unsuccessful.Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Packed with silly hijinks, this 2004 comedy also stars Kristin Chenoweth and Kristin Davis.Kelsie Gibson, People.com, 17 Dec. 2024
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Staff take part in silly skits and showcase rare albums that have not been digitized from the station's giant record collection.Meira Gebel, Axios, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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This is a fashion collab designed for women’s bodies to be looked at, but the functionality is useless.Jamie Aranoff, Outside Online, 12 Dec. 2024
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It was built on NBA men who subsidized that useless league for decades.Asher Notheis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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After all, these goofy buddy comedies aren’t really for the critics, right?Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2024
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But that’s like the goofiest (expletive) move in the history of the UFC.Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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That sense of giddy creative abandon was palpable throughout.Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 16 Dec. 2024
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In unusual scenes for an administrator, a giddy Shah was front and center of India's podium during their title celebrations at the T20 World Cup.Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near futile
Cite this Entry
“Futile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/futile. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
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