1
as in unsuccessful
producing no results
the prison is so well guarded that all attempts to escape have been futile
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in silly
lacking in seriousness or maturity
the futile chatter of gossip columnists about the comings and goings of Hollywood celebrities
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of futile
The Knicks miss all 18 attempts in the most futile three-point shooting night in league history.
2011 — Lindsey Vonn clinches her third discipline title in three days with a super-G victory to wrap up a memorable weekend of ski racing in Tarvisio, Italy.
—
Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2025
So many of Jones' issues will instantly go away when he gets traded to a competent team that doesn't constantly put him in futile situations.
—Kevin Papetti, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
However, these attempts are futile, and such baseless rumors will ultimately be consigned to the dustbin of history.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
Impeachment is seen as a largely futile effort, given the near-zero chance that at least 14 Senate Democrats would join Republicans in convicting and removing any of the judges.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for futile
Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2025
So many of Jones' issues will instantly go away when he gets traded to a competent team that doesn't constantly put him in futile situations.
—Kevin Papetti, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
However, these attempts are futile, and such baseless rumors will ultimately be consigned to the dustbin of history.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
Impeachment is seen as a largely futile effort, given the near-zero chance that at least 14 Senate Democrats would join Republicans in convicting and removing any of the judges.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for futile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for futile
Adjective
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June became hopeful that the American rescue mission would lead to a reunion with her daughter, but that was unsuccessful.—
Abigail Lee,
Variety,
8 Apr. 2025
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Last year, Harry’s legal action against the Home Office was unsuccessful and the court initially refused him permission to appeal.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This strategy worked for him for about 10 years—and then began to bore him silly.—
Art Spiegelman,
The Atlantic,
9 Apr. 2025
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Props to the people who green-lit Angry Birds to give kids a silly movie about infanticide.—
Jordan Crucchiola,
Vulture,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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For most of us, our inbox goals are the same: minimize useless spam, file away messages that don’t require your attention right away, and bring urgent items to the forefront.—
Aytekin Tank,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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His devastating splitter would be useless without first establishing everything else in the strike zone.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Pearl Breed: Pit terrier mix Age: 2 years old Pearl is a cuddly, goofy, playful pup looking for her forever home.—
Trish Stinger,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2025
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Betty’s world is introduced with real decor, like a big grey bed and an amusingly goofy invention of Grampy’s, but the handmade quality falls by the wayside as most of the rest of David Rockwell’s sets are conjured via that old menace, the big flat LED screen.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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When the friends head to the public library to attend their first minicomics convention, their giddy, nervous excitement is palpable.—
James Sturm,
New York Times,
4 Apr. 2025
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Mountain, his latest venture, is more expansive in all respects—more seats, fancier grills, a bigger playbook of influences and techniques—while retaining the giddy obsession with sourcing that has become Parry’s signature.—
Amiel Stanek,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Futile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/futile. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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