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
On the other side of the classroom wall giggling erupted, which rendered my exhortations futile.
—
Sally Ventura
june 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
While larger nations hesitated, dithered and opted for futile dialogue, Israel acted.
—Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Yet this feud seems futile: like a circular firing squad, the chaotic back-and-forth only seems to create wounds everywhere.
—Chris Westfall, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
The regime’s tyrannical efforts to control and extinguish their savings were futile against their newfound freedom money.
—Mauricio Di Bartolomeo, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for futile
Sally Ventura
june 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
While larger nations hesitated, dithered and opted for futile dialogue, Israel acted.
—Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Yet this feud seems futile: like a circular firing squad, the chaotic back-and-forth only seems to create wounds everywhere.
—Chris Westfall, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
The regime’s tyrannical efforts to control and extinguish their savings were futile against their newfound freedom money.
—Mauricio Di Bartolomeo, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for futile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for futile
Adjective
-
Roughly 45 seconds later, Van der Walt tried to add hot air to the envelope and close the rapid deflation valve but was unsuccessful, according to the report.—
Perry Vandell,
AZCentral.com,
25 July 2025
-
Although a request for proposals for a new company to run the facility drew interest from at least two companies, neither ended up completing the process to submit a proposal and efforts to reach out to other companies have so far been unsuccessful, Hyde said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
There were no costumes, no silly dances or hit parodies.—
Courtney Devores,
Charlotte Observer,
28 July 2025
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That may sound silly to some, Foster said, but the work done by the Environmental Protection Agency in placing bands on birds and following the migration of bees informs officials about the impact of projects on the environment.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 July 2025
Adjective
-
Followers are useless, but engaged customers and a devoted tribe of community members are priceless.—
Solo Ceesay,
Rolling Stone,
28 July 2025
-
Fertilizing before heavy rain is useless at best and harmful at worst.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 July 2025
Adjective
-
Just a lot of good places to take goofy selfies and places for the kids to run around.—
Tiffany Acosta,
AZCentral.com,
25 July 2025
-
At first, Star Wars was a goofy space opera, entertaining and box office gold, but only really taken seriously by nerds.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
23 July 2025
Adjective
-
While West Indies’ heyday - when this group of mostly British Commonwealth countries and territories ruled cricket in the 1970s and '80s - conjures much nostalgia, there is a realization that those giddy heights will never be reached again.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
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As a giddy Jules tells Jess in one scene, in America, women can actually get paid to play.—
Meg Walters,
Glamour,
28 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Futile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/futile. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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