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
Advertisement The futility of negotiations is now an open secret.
—
Charlie Campbell, Time, 7 May 2026
What followed was 20 years of futility.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 4 May 2026
The Magic’s playoff futility continues.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 May 2026
That completed Colorado’s three-game sweep at Citi Field, extending the Mets’ run of futility to 15 losses in 17 games.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for futility
Charlie Campbell, Time, 7 May 2026
What followed was 20 years of futility.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 4 May 2026
The Magic’s playoff futility continues.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 May 2026
That completed Colorado’s three-game sweep at Citi Field, extending the Mets’ run of futility to 15 losses in 17 games.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for futility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for futility
Noun
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The goal isn't to restrict agents into uselessness.—
Ajay Pundhir,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2026
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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
Noun
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Advertisement For decades, the dominant story about Watts was one of pathology and hopelessness.—
Terry McDonell,
Time,
21 Apr. 2026
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The other featured a comeback that saw hopelessness turn into jubilation.—
Peter Warren,
Houston Chronicle,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Slot’s system relies heavily on wingers, but the ineffectiveness of both Salah and Cody Gakpo has been a real issue.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
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Delaying this only demonstrates the organization’s ineffectiveness in today’s NBA.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
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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
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But one series with four minutes remaining highlighted the fruitlessness of this effort.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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For most people eating a typical diet, sodium deficiency is very rare.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
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This season, however, due to a number of factors including changing personnel, injuries, underperformance from key players and tactical deficiencies, Liverpool have become a soft touch and easy to play against.—
Colin Millar,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Futility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/futility. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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