futility

[fyoo-til-i-tee]

futility Definition

  • 1pointlessness or uselessness
  • 2a 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

Phrases with 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 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 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.

How do native speakers use this expression?