Pointlessness - Definition, Meaning, and Examples in English

Definition

^{Context #1 | Noun}

feeling of

The state or quality of lacking meaning or purpose; futility.

Synonyms

futility, meaninglessness, purposelessness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pointlessness	Used to describe a situation or action that has no purpose or value. Often conveys a sense of frustration or resignation. He questioned the pointlessness of the endless meetings The debate seemed to highlight the pointlessness of their efforts
meaninglessness	Used to describe something that lacks significance, importance, or value. Often used in philosophical or existential discussions. He pondered the meaninglessness of life For some, the routine job felt filled with meaninglessness
futility	Employed when emphasizing that efforts or actions are doomed to fail or have no effect. Suggests a sense of hopelessness. She realized the futility of trying to change his mind The futility of the task became apparent after hours of trying
purposelessness	Indicates a lack of direction, goals, or intentions. Often used to describe feelings or states where no clear purpose is perceived. After losing his job, he struggled with a sense of purposelessness The movie's plot ended up feeling filled with purposelessness

Examples of usage

It is hard to find a way out of this sense of pointlessness.
The pointlessness of their actions became apparent to them after a while.

Interesting Facts

Philosophy

Existential philosophers often explore the idea of pointlessness, questioning life's meaning.
Some thinkers argue that recognizing life's pointlessness can lead to personal freedom and creativity.
In nihilism, the belief in the ultimate pointlessness of life is central, suggesting that life lacks inherent meaning.

Literature

In modern literature, characters often face existential crises, reflecting on their lives' perceived pointlessness.
Camus's 'The Myth of Sisyphus' explores the absurdity of life and how one can find meaning in seemingly pointless tasks.
The theme of pointlessness appears in various works, provoking readers to confront their beliefs about purpose.

Psychology

Feeling like your actions are pointless can lead to feelings of hopelessness and depression.
Studies show that a sense of purpose can significantly improve mental health and well-being.
People often seek meaning to counteract feelings of pointlessness, engaging in activities that align with their values.

Art

Several contemporary art movements explore themes of pointlessness, challenging traditional ideas of value in art.
Dadaism emerged as a reaction to the absurdity of war, emphasizing pointlessness in creation and expression.
Performance art often highlights trivial actions, questioning the validity and value of artistic expression itself.

Pop Culture

Many films and TV shows examine characters grappling with the idea that their efforts lead to nothing.
Popular memes often humorously express the feeling of pointlessness in daily tasks or societal expectations.
Music and lyrics sometimes delve into feelings of aimlessness, resonating with listeners seeking connection.

Origin of 'pointlessness'

The word 'pointlessness' originated from the combination of 'point' and the suffix '-less', which indicates the absence of the quality of the base word. It first appeared in the English language in the early 19th century. The concept of pointlessness has been explored in various philosophical and literary works, highlighting the existential dilemma of finding meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,936, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

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37933 duping
37934 blinder
37935 idiotically
37936 pointlessness
37937 dentally
37938 sublimating
37939 laziest
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Pointlessness Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations