exercise in futility
noun phrase
: an activity that is not successful or worthwhile
The negotiations turned out to be an exercise in futility.
Examples of exercise in futility in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Trying to stick wet surfaces together is an exercise in futility, as the water molecules form a barrier between the surface and molecules in the adhesive.
—
Michael Irving, New Atlas, 26 Feb. 2025
The goalkeeper’s dive to try to save it was a captivating exercise in futility.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
Trump’s ability to dismiss or pardon Adams’s federal crimes would become an exercise in futility as the result of an indictment against Adams from the Manhattan DA for New York state crimes.
—Nick Akerman, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2025
Forbes contributor Lisa Bodell wrote in 2022 that the New Year’s Resolution is an exercise in futility because research shows that 80% of people give them up by February.
—Mary Crossan, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
Clearly, digging into Ducati’s specific positioning for the new V2 quickly becomes an exercise in futility, other than marveling at the power-to-weight ratio.
—Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Speculating at how the Ravens rank the prospects from their top areas of need (offensive line, edge rusher, wide receiver and cornerback) is an exercise in futility.
—Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic, 23 Apr. 2024
Her inability to grasp reality engulfs the final weeks of tour rehearsals in chaos, forcing her to probe the depths of her mind on a journey toward realizing that running from our formative memories is an exercise in futility.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2024
The problem is throwing the ball to him has largely been an exercise in futility.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024
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Michael Irving, New Atlas, 26 Feb. 2025
The goalkeeper’s dive to try to save it was a captivating exercise in futility.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
Trump’s ability to dismiss or pardon Adams’s federal crimes would become an exercise in futility as the result of an indictment against Adams from the Manhattan DA for New York state crimes.
—Nick Akerman, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2025
Forbes contributor Lisa Bodell wrote in 2022 that the New Year’s Resolution is an exercise in futility because research shows that 80% of people give them up by February.
—Mary Crossan, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
Clearly, digging into Ducati’s specific positioning for the new V2 quickly becomes an exercise in futility, other than marveling at the power-to-weight ratio.
—Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Speculating at how the Ravens rank the prospects from their top areas of need (offensive line, edge rusher, wide receiver and cornerback) is an exercise in futility.
—Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic, 23 Apr. 2024
Her inability to grasp reality engulfs the final weeks of tour rehearsals in chaos, forcing her to probe the depths of her mind on a journey toward realizing that running from our formative memories is an exercise in futility.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2024
The problem is throwing the ball to him has largely been an exercise in futility.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Exercise in futility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exercise%20in%20futility. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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