futile

adjective
UK: /ˈfjuːtaɪl/
US: /ˈfjuːtl/

  1. Having no result or effect; serving no useful purpose.

    1. It is futile to argue with him, he won't change his mind.
    2. All our attempts to save the business proved futile in the end.

  2. Incapable of producing any useful result; pointless.

    1. Their efforts to revive the old custom proved futile.
    2. Rescuers made a futile attempt to reach the trapped miners after the collapse.

Synonyms

ineffective vain unproductive pointless fruitless
futile adverb

  1. In a futile manner; ineffectively or uselessly.

    1. He struggled futilely against the strong current.
    2. She tried futilely to convince him to stay, but he had already decided to leave.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "futile" in English means: Having no result or effect; serving no useful purpose., Incapable of producing any useful result; pointless..

The phonetic transcription of "futile" is /ˈfjuːtaɪl/ in British English and /ˈfjuːtl/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "futile": ineffective, vain, unproductive, pointless, fruitless.

Example usage of "futile": "It is futile to argue with him, he won't change his mind.". More examples on the page.