1
as in unsuccessful
producing no results
the prison is so well guarded that all attempts to escape have been futile
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of futile
The film may be rife with despair, but its own power is proof that art isn’t entirely futile.
—
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 22 May 2025
But that is how futile and how desolate Tuesday felt.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2025
Cutting spending wasted on a futile pursuit of a global empire is not just a fiscal necessity.
—Ron Paul, Oc Register, 20 May 2025
Desperate Steve Kerr frequently toggled his non-Draymond Green big men as late as the second round of the playoffs in a futile effort to contain the giants of the Minnesota Timberwolves around the rim.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for futile
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 22 May 2025
But that is how futile and how desolate Tuesday felt.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2025
Cutting spending wasted on a futile pursuit of a global empire is not just a fiscal necessity.
—Ron Paul, Oc Register, 20 May 2025
Desperate Steve Kerr frequently toggled his non-Draymond Green big men as late as the second round of the playoffs in a futile effort to contain the giants of the Minnesota Timberwolves around the rim.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for futile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for futile
Adjective
-
Efforts to reach Suncor officials for this story were unsuccessful.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
7 June 2025
-
One game after the Oilers were unsuccessful in challenging that Bennett interfered with Stuart Skinner during the game’s first goal, Bennett toppled over Skinner after getting contact from Ekholm later in the period.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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Alas, during one night siege (silly enough to not scare the little ones, even as the entire village repeatedly goes up in flames), Hiccup aims his weapon at the shape of a Night Fury (no one, we’re told repeatedly, as ever really seen one), shoots, and … what!—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
9 June 2025
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Still, sometimes Forrest’s demands seemed nitpicky, silly even.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
The bad job, the relaxing sabbatical, the useless degree.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
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Through a charmingly off-kilter blend of 2D aesthetics, the film follows a protagonist who, after catching a highly contagious virus, must abandon her work as a personal assistant to a demanding boss and her duties at home with a useless husband and two needy kids.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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Fred looked, well, a little goofy and the explosion wasn't nearly as impressive.—
Joe Salas
June 07,
New Atlas,
7 June 2025
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Primus specialize in bass-heavy, off-kilter rock with a goofy sense of humor.—
Ross Raihala,
Twin Cities,
2 June 2025
Adjective
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Relief, their long-simmering attraction, and their giddy pride in having invented espionage cookery lead Antonin and Agathe to bang in the carriage back home.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
11 June 2025
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Del Toro’s early roles (in 1990s cult films such as The Usual Suspects and Excess Baggage) smacked of knockoff Marlon Brando: all movement, mumbling charm, and giddy chaos.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Futile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/futile. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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