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
Adrift and emasculated, Stan is less a patriarch than the defeated captain of a sinking ship, drowning in his futility.
—
Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
The loss pushed Yeshiva’s record of futility into triple digits.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
So many of these shows focus on the futility or grim determination or flawed goofiness of a few individuals set against the massive implacable nightmare of giant institutions.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 May 2025
Coming off consecutive 100-loss seasons, Colorado is on an early pace to surpass the futility of the 2024 White Sox, who set a modern-era record with 121 losses.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for futility
Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
The loss pushed Yeshiva’s record of futility into triple digits.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
So many of these shows focus on the futility or grim determination or flawed goofiness of a few individuals set against the massive implacable nightmare of giant institutions.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 May 2025
Coming off consecutive 100-loss seasons, Colorado is on an early pace to surpass the futility of the 2024 White Sox, who set a modern-era record with 121 losses.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for futility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for futility
Noun
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As research highlighted the inefficacy and unintended consequences of these laws, states rolled them back or modified them, mostly by partially repealing them or reducing the severity of mandatory sentences.—
John Leverso,
The Conversation,
26 Feb. 2025
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The solution is to test AI agents thoroughly to identify any inefficacies.—
Theo Schnitfink,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Risk of nutrient deficiencies: Using powders instead of whole foods may result in nutrient deficiencies.—
Christopher Bergland,
Verywell Health,
12 June 2025
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How pellagra ravaged northern Italy Pellagra is a severe systemic disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin B3, or niacin.—
Asia London Palomba,
Smithsonian Magazine,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Futility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/futility. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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