Synonyms for futile
ˈfyut l, ˈfyu taɪlfu·tile

WiktionaryRate these synonyms:2.0 / 1 vote

1. futileadjective

   Synonyms:
   ineffectual, fruitless, vain, unavailing, idle

   Antonyms:
   effective, effectual

2. futileadjective

   Incapable of producing results; useless; not successful; not worth attempting.

   Synonyms:
   idle, unavailing, vain, fruitless, ineffectual

   Antonyms:
   effective, effectual

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. futile

   Vain (Latin vanus, empty) keeps the etymological idea through all changes of meaning; a vain endeavor is empty of result, or of adequate power to produce a result, a vain pretension is empty or destitute of support, a vain person has a conceit that is empty or destitute of adequate cause or reason. That which is bootless, fruitless, or profitless fails to accomplish any valuable result; that which is abortive, ineffectual, or unavailing fails to accomplish a result that it was, or was supposed to be, adapted to accomplish. That which is useless, futile, or vain is inherently incapable of accomplishing a specified result. Useless, in the widest sense, signifies not of use for any valuable purpose, and is thus closely similar to valueless and worthless. Fruitless is more final than ineffectual, as applying to the sum or harvest of endeavor. That which is useless lacks actual fitness for a purpose; that which is vain lacks imaginable fitness. Compare VACANT; OSTENTATION; PRIDE.

   Compare synonyms for UTILITY.

   Synonyms:
   abortive, baseless, bootless, deceitful, delusive, empty, fruitless, idle, inconstant, ineffectual, nugatory, null, profitless, shadowy, trifling, trivial, unavailing, unimportant, unprofitable, unreal, unsatisfying, unserviceable, unsubstantial, useless, vain, vapid, visionary, worthless

   Antonyms:
   adequate, advantageous, beneficial, competent, effective, efficient, expedient, potent, powerful, profitable, real, serviceable, solid, sound, substantial, sufficient, useful, valid, valuable, worthy

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:5.0 / 1 vote

1. futile

   Synonyms:
   weak, ineffective, useless, nugatory, unavailing, vain, trifling

   Antonyms:
   powerful, effective, cogent, useful, solid, substantial

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:4.0 / 1 vote

1. futile, ineffectual, otiose, unavailingadjective

   producing no result or effect

   "a futile effort"; "the therapy was ineffectual"; "an otiose undertaking"; "an unavailing attempt"

   Synonyms:
   senseless, ineffectual, bootless, work-shy, otiose, vain, purposeless, slothful, superfluous, unavailing, sleeveless, indolent, uneffective, faineant, pointless, wasted, unable, lazy, ineffective, fruitless

   Antonyms:
   useful, utile, productive

2. bootless, fruitless, futile, sleeveless, vainadjective

   unproductive of success

   "a fruitless search"; "futile years after her artistic peak"; "a sleeveless errand"; "a vain attempt"

   Synonyms:
   unavailing, otiose, self-conceited, fruitless, egotistic, vain, conceited, swollen-headed, swollen, bootless, ineffectual, egotistical, sleeveless

   Antonyms:
   useful, utile, productive

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:2.0 / 1 vote

1. futileadjective

   Synonyms:
   trifling, frivolous, trivial

2. futileadjective

   Synonyms:
   worthless, valueless, profitless, fruitless, bootless, vain, idle, unprofitable

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. futileadjective

   Synonyms:
   vain, bootless, ineffectual, unavailing, abortive, useless

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "futile":

   useless, pointless, vain, fruitless, frivolous, sterile, unnecessary, trivial, meaningless, unhelpful, worthless, unsuccessful, senseless, needless, unproductive

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How to use futile in a sentence?

1. Clarence Darrow:

   We know life is futile. A man who considers that his life is of very wonderful importance is awfully close to a padded cell.

2. Caroline Isemann:

   We look at each patient's individual circumstances and how to remain in compliance with all current state laws to the best of our ability, even if a specific diagnosis falls under medically futile exceptions provided by( the Louisiana Department of Health), the laws addressing treatment methods are much more complex and seemingly contradictory.

3. Kim Jong:

   Lankov, an expert at Korea Risk Group, said. U.S. diplomats here and across the world are working to rein in the North Korean regime. But Lankov, also a professor at Seoul’s Kookmin University, said their efforts could be futile. Pohang, South Korea on Sept. 12, 2017. Experts say North Korea leader Kim Jong Un wants to have the capability of carrying out a major attack. ( Fox News) ‘ I don’t think there is, unfortunately, any way to stop them.

4. Sisyphus Prime:

   A fitting end for an existence defined by futile struggle .And I don't regret a SECOND of it.

5. Leah McKendrick:

   As a very young actress, I felt like nobody would protect me, trying to protect other actresses felt futile, too.