futile

[fyoot-l, fyoo-tahyl] / ˈfyut l, ˈfyu taɪl /

ADJECTIVE

hopeless, pointless

Synonyms

STRONGEST

fruitless hollow impractical ineffective ineffectual insufficient trivial unproductive unprofitable unsuccessful useless vain worthless

WEAK

abortive barren bootless delusive empty exhausted forlorn idle impracticable in vain no dice nugatory on a treadmill otiose out the window profitless resultless save one's breath sterile to no avail to no effect to no purpose trifling unavailing unimportant unneeded unreal unsatisfactory unsubstantial valueless

Antonyms

STRONGEST

effective fruitful helpful productive profitable successful useful valuable worthwhile

WEAK

hopeful

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.

In the face of a robot invasion, resistance is futile.

From Salon

Our robot overlords are here, and resistance is futile.

From The Wall Street Journal

In today’s coarsened climate, fretting about rules of politeness seems futile.

From The Wall Street Journal

It is a futile dream, a strange thought to have, but it is there nonetheless.

From Literature

When he realized arguing with fanatic believers was futile, Dr. Lee stopped responding, “he had other business to attend to.”

From Literature