What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
futility
Example
It's a futility to try and change his mind. [futility: noun]
Example
The team's efforts were met with futility as they lost the game. [futility: noun]
fruitlessness
Example
The search for a solution proved to be fruitless. [fruitless: adjective]
Example
Despite their best efforts, the project ended in fruitlessness. [fruitlessness: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Futility is less common than fruitlessness in everyday language, but it is still an important word to know for academic or philosophical discussions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between futility and fruitlessness?
Futility is more formal than fruitlessness, but both words can be used in formal or informal contexts depending on the situation.
