futilely

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ondro likens his guilt-racked migrations to the story of Jonah, who tried futilely to run from God’s message to him.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

The FBI had tracked the Unabomber futilely for 18 years before his capture in a hermit’s shack in Montana in April 1996.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2026

Fall River is one of those northern post-industrial cities that’s been futilely trying to reverse decline for decades, first by bulldozing historic neighborhoods to build highways, and now by constructing breweries and farmer’s markets.

From Salon • Dec. 24, 2025

“Obviously, it wasn’t the start we wanted,” said Wennberg, who had a busy and frustrating night both killing penalties and trying futilely to score on the power play.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 10, 2024

The dogs fall silent at the edge of my spell, and where the king’s hall surmounts the town, the blind old Shaper, harp clutched tight to his fragile chest, stares futilely down, straight at me.

From "Grendel" by John Gardner