Futile: meaning, definitions and examples

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futile

[ˈfjuːtaɪl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

in a hopeless manner

Incapable of producing any useful result; pointless. Marked by lack of effectiveness or success.

Synonyms

fruitless, ineffective, pointless, useless, vain.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
futile	Use in situations where efforts clearly have no chance of being successful. Attempting to change his mind was futile The heavy rain made it futile to try and have a picnic outdoors
pointless	Describes an activity or effort that lacks purpose or significance. Arguing with him is pointless It felt pointless to continue the project knowing it would be canceled
fruitless	Describes efforts or actions that result in no beneficial outcome. Their search for the lost dog was fruitless After years of negotiations, the peace talks ended in a fruitless effort
vain	Often implies effort was made, but it resulted in no success. May also suggest arrogance if talking about a person. She tried in vain to start the car His vain attempts to win her back went unnoticed
useless	Applies to things or efforts that have no utility or value. The broken tool was useless Trying to fix the old computer was useless
ineffective	Refers to actions or methods that do not produce the desired effect or outcome. The new marketing strategy proved ineffective The medication was ineffective against the infection

Examples of usage

It would be futile to continue searching in the dark.
His attempts to convince her were futile.
Trying to reason with him is futile.
The resistance was ultimately futile against the advancing army.
His futile efforts only led to frustration.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

lack of success

A lack of success; a failure. The feeling of being ineffective or incapable of producing any useful result.

Synonyms

failure, hopelessness, impotence, ineffectiveness, unsuccessful.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
futile	Used when an effort or action has no chance of succeeding and is seen as pointless. Trying to convince him is futile; he has already made up his mind
failure	Refers to the state or condition of not meeting a desired or expected outcome. The project was a complete failure due to lack of planning
ineffectiveness	Describes a state where actions or processes fail to produce the intended results. The new policy's ineffectiveness was evident in the declining sales
unsuccessful	Used to describe an outcome where the intended goals or objectives were not achieved. Despite their best efforts, the mission was unsuccessful
hopelessness	Represents a feeling of despair and belief that there is no possibility of a better outcome. It often has a strong negative emotional connotation. She felt a deep sense of hopelessness after losing her job
impotence	Indicates a lack of power or ability, often in a figurative sense to describe weakness or inability to effect change. The government's impotence in dealing with the crisis frustrated the citizens

Examples of usage

The mission was considered a futile.
He couldn't shake off the feeling of futility.
She was overwhelmed by a sense of futility in her efforts.
The futility of the situation was evident to all.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'futilis', meaning 'leaky' or 'worthless', suggesting something that cannot hold value or effectiveness.
It was introduced into English in the late 14th century to describe actions that are ineffective or unproductive.

Literature

Notable works of literature, such as Albert Camus's 'The Myth of Sisyphus', often explore themes of futility, showing how human efforts can feel in vain.
Shakespeare's characters frequently confront futility, with Hamlet's famous soliloquy pondering life and death reflecting on the perceived lack of meaning in existence.

Psychology

Experiencing futility can lead to feelings of frustration and helplessness, impacting mental health and motivation.
Avoiding tasks that feel futile can be a coping mechanism; however, recognizing when to persist in challenges is important for personal growth.

Pop Culture

In film and television, characters often embark on futile quests, serving as a backdrop to highlight deeper social or personal issues, like in 'The Pursuit of Happyness'.
Music frequently tackles futility, with artists expressing the struggles of love, ambition, and societal pressures through themes of efforts that lead to little success.

Science

In the realm of scientific research, futile efforts can refer to experiments that yield no significant results, illustrating the importance of perseverance despite setbacks.
The concept of futility in medicine often appears in discussions about treatment options that offer little benefit to patients, raising ethical considerations in care.

Translations

Translations of the word "futile" in other languages:

🇵🇹 inútil

🇮🇳 निष्फल

🇩🇪 vergeblich

🇮🇩 sia-sia

🇺🇦 марний

🇵🇱 daremny

🇯🇵 無駄な

🇫🇷 inutile

🇪🇸 inútil

🇹🇷 boş

🇰🇷 쓸모없는

🇸🇦 عديم الفائدة

🇨🇿 marný

🇸🇰 márny

🇨🇳 徒劳的

🇸🇮 neuporaben

🇮🇸 árangurslaus

🇰🇿 пайдасыз

🇬🇪 უშედეგო

🇦🇿 faydasız

🇲🇽 inútil

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,656 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

...
9653 hauled
9654 imitate
9655 feather
9656 futile
9657 inaccurate
9658 hooks
9659 installing
...