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
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
No matter what numbers the networks try to burnish, the entire effort can represent an exercise in futility.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 19 July 2024
This is an exercise in futility, certainly, but imagine if Greene or Donald Trump Jr. had taken a different tack.
—Philip Bump, Washington Post, 17 July 2024
But there’s unfortunately a sort of mystique around managing the problem, which can sometimes feel like an exercise in futility.
—Angela Law, refinery29.com, 3 July 2024
Of course, trying to make a heavy and high-riding SUV drive like a light and low-slung supercar is ultimately an exercise in futility.
—Angus MacKenzie, Robb Report, 19 June 2024
Madison, Wisconsin — On a recent weekend, the Detroit Mechanix, a professional ultimate frisbee team, was getting ready for some exercise in futility.
—Steve Hartman, CBS News, 7 June 2024
For others, new year money resolutions are an annual exercise in futility.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 31 Jan. 2024
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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
No matter what numbers the networks try to burnish, the entire effort can represent an exercise in futility.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 19 July 2024
This is an exercise in futility, certainly, but imagine if Greene or Donald Trump Jr. had taken a different tack.
—Philip Bump, Washington Post, 17 July 2024
But there’s unfortunately a sort of mystique around managing the problem, which can sometimes feel like an exercise in futility.
—Angela Law, refinery29.com, 3 July 2024
Of course, trying to make a heavy and high-riding SUV drive like a light and low-slung supercar is ultimately an exercise in futility.
—Angus MacKenzie, Robb Report, 19 June 2024
Madison, Wisconsin — On a recent weekend, the Detroit Mechanix, a professional ultimate frisbee team, was getting ready for some exercise in futility.
—Steve Hartman, CBS News, 7 June 2024
For others, new year money resolutions are an annual exercise in futility.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 31 Jan. 2024
Dictionary Entries Near exercise in futility
Cite this Entry
“Exercise in futility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exercise%20in%20futility. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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