futility

[fyoo-til-i-tee]

futility Definition

• 1. pointlessness or uselessness
• 2. a sense of frustration or disappointment due to the lack of success or effectiveness

Using futility: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "futility" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The futility of his efforts left him feeling discouraged.

• Example

  The team's repeated losses led to a sense of futility among the players.

• Example

  Trying to convince him was an exercise in futility.

futility Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for futility

• uselessness
• ineffectiveness
• fruitlessness
• pointlessness
• hopelessness

Antonyms for futility

• effectiveness
• usefulness
• productivity

Phrases with futility

• in futility

  in a manner that is pointless or ineffective

  Example

  He continued to argue with her in futility, knowing that she would never change her mind.

• the futility of something

  the fact that something is pointless or ineffective

  Example

  The futility of their efforts was evident when they failed to make any progress on the project.

• a sense of futility

  a feeling of frustration or disappointment due to the lack of success or effectiveness

  Example

  The team's repeated losses created a sense of futility among the players, who began to doubt their abilities.

Origins of futility

from Latin 'futilis', meaning 'vain, worthless'

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Summary: futility in Brief

The term 'futility' [fyoo-til-i-tee] refers to the pointlessness or uselessness of something, often leading to a sense of frustration or disappointment. It can be used to describe the lack of success or effectiveness of an action or effort, as in 'The futility of his efforts left him feeling discouraged.' 'Futility' can also be used in phrases like 'in futility,' denoting a pointless or ineffective manner, and 'a sense of futility,' describing a feeling of frustration or disappointment.