as in uselessness
the quality or state of being useless
The two engaged in a long discussion on the futility of war. He felt saddened by the apparent futility of his efforts to console her.
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Recent Examples of futility
But eventually, nonstop quips give way to subtle observations on class, power, and, particularly during its second season, when Killface and Crews run opposing campaigns for president, the futility of electoral politics.
—
Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
That’s Nebraska’s list of NCAA futility.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
After months of futility on the negotiation front, things have gotten serious.
—Sports Columnist, San Francisco Chronicle, 12 Mar. 2026
This stretch of this type of season could easily adopt a tone of futility.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for futility
Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
That’s Nebraska’s list of NCAA futility.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
After months of futility on the negotiation front, things have gotten serious.
—Sports Columnist, San Francisco Chronicle, 12 Mar. 2026
This stretch of this type of season could easily adopt a tone of futility.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for futility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for futility
Noun
-
The fear of uselessness explains why the banker Eric Tao (Ken Leung) leaves a cushy retirement to get back to finance, even at the cost of neglecting his kids.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Holding back tears, Marta called out the uselessness of comparing this season to last year’s championship run.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
For her and many other Iranians who spoke to CNN – their surnames withheld to protect their identities – the past three weeks have been filled with a sense of hopelessness and fear.—
Leila Gharagozlou,
CNN Money,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Depression and hopelessness are at their highest ever measured.—
Ariel David,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
On the other end, a challenge can’t cover for pitcher ineffectiveness.—
Johnny Flores Jr,
New York Times,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The ineffectiveness of the rule is a fair criticism.—
Greg Cote
Updated March 30,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The impunity of the powerful was measured by the inefficacy of the outraged.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2026
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When on day five of his mayoralty Zohran Mamdani acknowledged the inefficacy of homeless sweeps and avowed to end them, street homeless adults, advocates, and attorneys rejoiced.—
Deborah Berkman,
New York Daily News,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Caroline’s anguish and her ineffectuality at making progress in finding Gabriel make for some frustrating moments as a reader.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But one series with four minutes remaining highlighted the fruitlessness of this effort.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Titone is also concerned about a new audit of OIT that identified serious deficiencies in the state's cybersecurity protocols.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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In fact, one study found 84% of postmenopausal women diagnosed with osteoporosis had a magnesium deficiency.—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Futility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/futility. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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