FUTILE Synonyms: 115 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'futile' different from other adjectives like it?

The words fruitless and vain are common synonyms of futile . While all three words mean "producing no result," futile may connote completeness of failure or unwisdom of undertaking. // resistance had proved so futile that surrender was the only choice left

Q: How do 'fruitless' and 'vain' relate to one another, in the sense of 'futile'?

Fruitless comes close to vain but often suggests long and arduous effort or severe disappointment. // fruitless efforts to obtain a lasting peace

Q: When could 'vain' be used to replace 'futile'?

The words vain and futile can be used in similar contexts, but vain usually implies simple failure to achieve a desired result. // a vain attempt to get the car started

futile

adjective

ˈfyü-tᵊl

Definition of futile next

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

as in silly

lacking in seriousness or maturity the futile chatter of gossip columnists about the comings and goings of Hollywood celebrities

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word futile different from other adjectives like it?

The words fruitless and vain are common synonyms of futile. While all three words mean "producing no result," futile may connote completeness of failure or unwisdom of undertaking.

resistance had proved so futile that surrender was the only choice left

How do fruitless and vain relate to one another, in the sense of futile?

Fruitless comes close to vain but often suggests long and arduous effort or severe disappointment.

fruitless efforts to obtain a lasting peace

When could vain be used to replace futile?

The words vain and futile can be used in similar contexts, but vain usually implies simple failure to achieve a desired result.

a vain attempt to get the car started

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of futile What to know: Gaetz made a futile last-minute effort in federal court to prevent the release of the report into allegations that have dogged the Florida Republican for years. —

Laura L. Davis, USA TODAY, 23 Dec. 2024 Striving for gross perfection is a futile game in here. —

Camille Freestone, Architectural Digest, 29 Nov. 2024 All hell breaks loose, and Gambit decides to take on the futile task of attempting to stop the Master Mold and end the attack. —

Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2024 So mixing in a player who's shown flashes of upside but just hasn't gotten the right opportunity with a black hole organization such as the Jets could be a recipe for another futile experiment. —

Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for futile

Recent Examples of Synonyms for futile

Adjective

Funding Nearly Halted Worldwide: State Department Putin Faces 'Really Big Problems' in Russian Economy: Report The U.S. has been sued in the past over the policy, though the lawsuits have been unsuccessful.

— Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 26 Jan. 2025
Early attempts that fell short reveal that most cellular love affairs are unsuccessful.

— Molly Herring, WIRED, 26 Jan. 2025