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Uselessness Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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uselessness

[หˆjuหslษ™snษ™s ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

feeling

The state or quality of being useless; lack of utility or effectiveness.

Synonyms

futility, ineffectiveness, ineptitude, worthlessness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
uselessness

Uselessness describes the state of being unable to achieve any result or having no practical use or effect.

  • The uselessness of the broken tool made the job impossible to complete.
  • He couldnโ€™t shake the feeling of uselessness after losing his job.
futility

Futility refers to an action or effort that is doomed to fail, often emphasizing a sense of hopelessness or pointlessness.

  • Her attempts to convince him were met with futility.
  • The futility of arguing with him became clear quickly.
ineffectiveness

Ineffectiveness highlights the inability of a person, action, or thing to produce the desired effect or outcome.

  • The medicationโ€™s ineffectiveness was evident when the symptoms did not improve.
  • His management style was marked by ineffectiveness and poor results.
worthlessness

Worthlessness describes a state of having no value or being regarded as of no worth, often with strong negative emotions.

  • The worthlessness of the counterfeit money was apparent to the store owner.
  • He felt a deep sense of worthlessness after the harsh criticism.
ineptitude

Ineptitude refers to a lack of skill or competence, often implying awkwardness or clumsiness. It has a negative connotation.

  • His ineptitude in handling the project led to its failure.
  • She was frustrated with her own ineptitude in the kitchen.

Examples of usage

  • His constant feeling of uselessness was overwhelming.
  • She couldn't shake off the sense of uselessness that plagued her.
  • Their relationship was filled with a sense of mutual uselessness.
  • The uselessness of the situation became more apparent with each passing day.
  • His actions only added to the overall feeling of uselessness in the team.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Feeling useless can lead to low self-esteem and may affect mental health.
  • People often define their worth by their usefulness, which can lead to pressure and anxiety.
  • The concept is often tied to motivationโ€”when individuals feel useless, they may struggle to find reasons to act.

Philosophy

  • Some philosophers argue that even what seems like 'uselessness' can have value in art or expression.
  • Existentialists explore the idea that individuals must create their own meaning; thus, 'uselessness' is subjective.
  • In Zen philosophy, embracing perceived uselessness can lead to mindfulness and deeper appreciation of the present.

Literature

  • Classic novels often explore characters grappling with feelings of uselessness, reflecting societal expectations.
  • In some poetry, the theme of uselessness serves to highlight the beauty in the mundane or overlooked details.
  • The concept appears in dystopian literature where individuals feel undervalued in oppressive societies.

Economics

  • In economics, the notion of 'uselessness' can relate to overproduction, where goods exceed market needs.
  • Jobs considered 'useless' can lead to economic inefficiency and waste of resources.
  • The value of goods often questions their usefulness in a market-driven economyโ€”what does not serve a function can be discarded.

Origin of 'uselessness'

The word 'uselessness' dates back to the mid-18th century, derived from the combination of 'useless' and the suffix '-ness', which denotes a state or quality. The concept of uselessness has been explored in various philosophical and psychological discussions, highlighting the impact it can have on individuals' mental well-being and sense of self-worth.

See also: abuse, disuse, disused, misuse, misused, overuse, peruse, reusableness, reuse, reusing, underuse, unusable, unused, usability, usable, usage, used, useful, usefully, usefulness, useless, users, using, usual, utensil, utilize.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,668, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.