FUTILE Synonyms: 115 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'futile' different from other adjectives like it?

The words fruitless and vain are common synonyms of futile . While all three words mean "producing no result," futile may connote completeness of failure or unwisdom of undertaking. // resistance had proved so futile that surrender was the only choice left

Q: How do 'fruitless' and 'vain' relate to one another, in the sense of 'futile'?

Fruitless comes close to vain but often suggests long and arduous effort or severe disappointment. // fruitless efforts to obtain a lasting peace

Q: When could 'vain' be used to replace 'futile'?

The words vain and futile can be used in similar contexts, but vain usually implies simple failure to achieve a desired result. // a vain attempt to get the car started

futile

adjective

ˈfyü-tᵊl

Definition of futile next

as in unsuccessful

producing no results the prison is so well guarded that all attempts to escape have been futile

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in silly

lacking in seriousness or maturity the futile chatter of gossip columnists about the comings and goings of Hollywood celebrities

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word futile different from other adjectives like it?

The words fruitless and vain are common synonyms of futile. While all three words mean "producing no result," futile may connote completeness of failure or unwisdom of undertaking.

resistance had proved so futile that surrender was the only choice left

How do fruitless and vain relate to one another, in the sense of futile?

Fruitless comes close to vain but often suggests long and arduous effort or severe disappointment.

fruitless efforts to obtain a lasting peace

When could vain be used to replace futile?

The words vain and futile can be used in similar contexts, but vain usually implies simple failure to achieve a desired result.

a vain attempt to get the car started

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of futile Multifactor authentication and other validation checks will become increasingly futile. —

Michael Decesare, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025 That drive went 74 yards in seven plays and was the answer the Buccaneers desperately needed after a mostly futile first half on offense. —

NBC News, 13 Jan. 2025 The Blackhawks and their fans are frustrated, furious, and feeling futile as ever. —

Scott Powers, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025 When a fish in the experiment saw that its efforts to swim were futile, the activity level of astrocytes in this switching circuit began to rise. —

Jon Hamilton, NPR, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for futile

Recent Examples of Synonyms for futile

Adjective

Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office and Walnut Grove Fire District personnel searched that first night from the air and aboard boats equipped with sonar and powerful magnets to detect the submerged vehicle but were unsuccessful.

— Darrell Smith, Sacramento Bee, 6 Feb. 2025
Musk's $44 billion purchase of Twitter in 2022 has been seen by some business analysts as an unsuccessful investment as the company's value has gone down sharply over the years with users and advertisers dropping the platform.

— Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 5 Feb. 2025