futility
noun
fu·til·i·ty
fyü-ˈti-lə-tē 
plural futilities
1
: the quality or state of being futile : uselessness
His speech focused on the futility of violence.
2
: a useless act or gesture
the futilities of debate for its own sake—
W. A. White
W. A. WhiteExamples of futility in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Two Prosecutors, adapted from a 1969 novel by Georgy Demidov, is a bleak shout of futility that’s also strangely, bitterly funny.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 23 May 2025
Goldman Sachs and the conservative-leaning Tax Foundation both found that the tax boosts and tariffs would essentially cancel each other out (or worse), making this a potential exercise in economic futility.
—Quartz Staff, Quartz, 21 May 2025
In the Modern Era (since 1900), the Rockies stand alone in their futility.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 15 May 2025
Adrift and emasculated, Stan is less a patriarch than the defeated captain of a sinking ship, drowning in his futility.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for futility
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Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 23 May 2025
Goldman Sachs and the conservative-leaning Tax Foundation both found that the tax boosts and tariffs would essentially cancel each other out (or worse), making this a potential exercise in economic futility.
—Quartz Staff, Quartz, 21 May 2025
In the Modern Era (since 1900), the Rockies stand alone in their futility.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 15 May 2025
Adrift and emasculated, Stan is less a patriarch than the defeated captain of a sinking ship, drowning in his futility.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for futility
Cite this Entry
“Futility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/futility. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
futility
noun
fu·til·i·ty
ˌfyu̇-ˈtil-ət-ē
plural futilities
1
: the quality or state of being futile
2
: a useless act
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