futile
22 synonyms and 10 antonyms for futile, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Producing no useful result; pointless or doomed to fail.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
bootless
fruitless
gainless
inane
ineffectual
inefficacious
inutile
no good
otiose
profitless
purposeless
unavailing
unprofitable
unuseful
unutilizable
Antonyms
How to use futile
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a futile attempt
futile effort
prove futile
Etymology
From Middle French futile, from Latin fūtilis, "leaky, worthless."
Full origin of futile →Frequently asked questions
What does “futile” mean?
The word “futile” means producing no useful result; pointless or doomed to fail. In plain terms, doomed not to work — trying anyway won't change the outcome.
How do you pronounce “futile”?
“Futile” is pronounced FYOO-tyl (/ˈfju.taɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “futile” in a sentence?
Here is “futile” used in a sentence: “It was futile to argue with him once he'd made up his mind.”
What is another word for “futile”?
Words with a similar meaning to “futile” include useless, bootless, barren, fruitless, gainless and idle.
What is the opposite of “futile”?
The opposite of “futile” — its antonyms — are effectual, effective, fruitful, worthwhile and gainful.
What part of speech is “futile”?
“Futile” is an adjective.
Where does the word “futile” come from?
The word “futile” comes from Latin. From Middle French futile, from Latin fūtilis, "leaky, worthless.".
Is “futile” a common word?
“Futile” is an uncommon word in modern English.
