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
The existentialist lyrics speak about the futility of material pursuits.
—
Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
This sense of futility breeds helplessness and withdrawal.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
And that streak of futility continued into Sunday’s live finale when Cam lost both part one and part two of the final Head of Household competition.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 14 Oct. 2024
What happened that night in July 2023 underscores the potential and, at times, futility of the city’s massive, 20-year bet on a network of cameras typically affixed to utility poles across the city.
—Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 29 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for futility 
Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
This sense of futility breeds helplessness and withdrawal.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
And that streak of futility continued into Sunday’s live finale when Cam lost both part one and part two of the final Head of Household competition.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 14 Oct. 2024
What happened that night in July 2023 underscores the potential and, at times, futility of the city’s massive, 20-year bet on a network of cameras typically affixed to utility poles across the city.
—Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 29 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for futility
Thesaurus Entries Near futility
Cite this Entry
“Futility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/futility. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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