futile

adjective

Incapable of producing results, useless; doomed not to be successful; not worth attempting.

Insignificant; frivolous.

Roots

Synonyms for futile

fruitlessadj unavailingadj vainadj ineffectualadj otioseadj bootlessadj uselessadj nugatoryadj inaneadj ineffectiveadj unproductiveadj unsuccessfuladj inefficaciousadj worthlessadj profitlessadj

Synonyms & related words for futile

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of futile — including fruitless, unavailing, vain, ineffectual, otiose, bootless. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to futile

Explore words related to futile — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include meaningless, futilitarian, pointless, bootlessness, futility, fruitlessly, unremunerative, unfruitful. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for futile

Common synonyms for futile include fruitless, unavailing, vain, ineffectual, otiose, bootless, useless, nugatory — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does futile come from?

The word futile breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root fut-, from Latin futilis (“leaky, vain”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.