Synonyms:
futile, ineffectual, otiose, unavailing
Meaning: producing no result or effect; "a futile effort"; "the therapy was ineffectual"; "an otiose undertaking"; "an unavailing attempt"
Synonyms:
bootless, fruitless, futile, sleeveless, vain
Meaning: unproductive of success; "a fruitless search"; "futile years after her artistic peak"; "a sleeveless errand"; "a vain attempt"
Usage examples
Sacrificed to a futile sort of treadmill
Yet something held him there in futile self-sacrifice.
This effort was futile, for the royal governor promptly vetoed it.
As for talkers and futile persons, they are commonly vain and credulous withal.
Futile the winds To a heart in port, -- Done with the compass, Done with the chart.
Perhaps something might yet be done to rescue the precious form, and lay it aside with all futile honours.
He only knew for certain that so far as his first hope and motives had gone his errand had proved entirely futile.
It was but child's play for so strong a man as Mr. Steele to shake off so futile a grasp, and he did so with a rasping laugh.
Of all the newt workers, they are the most futile, which is high praise indeed. Come, let us look closer and see what it is that they are doing.
Jim was being dragged forward, with Lucille beside him, old Parrish following, still making a futile struggle for life, while pitiful screeches issued from his mouth.