Futile: meaning, definitions and examples

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

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

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

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

Applies to things or efforts that have no utility or value.

• The broken tool was useless
• Trying to fix the old computer was useless

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

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

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

Describes a state where actions or processes fail to produce the intended results.

• The new policy's ineffectiveness was evident in the declining sales

Used to describe an outcome where the intended goals or objectives were not achieved.

• Despite their best efforts, the mission was unsuccessful

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

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