Uselessness: meaning, definitions and examples

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uselessness

[ˈjuːsləsnəs ]

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?

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 couldn’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 medication’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.

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 motivation—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 economy—what does not serve a function can be discarded.

Translations

Translations of the word "uselessness" in other languages:

🇵🇹 inutilidade

🇮🇳 निरर्थकता

🇩🇪 Nutzlosigkeit

🇮🇩 ketidakbergunaan

🇺🇦 даремність

🇵🇱 bezużyteczność

🇯🇵 無用

🇫🇷 inutilité

🇪🇸 inutilidad

🇹🇷 kullanışsızlık

🇰🇷 무용

🇸🇦 عدم الجدوى

🇨🇿 neužitečnost

🇸🇰 neužitočnosť

🇨🇳 无用

🇸🇮 neuporabnost

🇮🇸 ónýting

🇰🇿 пайдасыздық

🇬🇪 უსარგებლობა

🇦🇿 faydasızlıq

🇲🇽 inutilidad

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.

...
25665 cementation
25666 orthopaedic
25667 anoint
25668 uselessness
25669 unmeasured
25670 epiphany
25671 sheepishly
...