futility

[ fyoo-til-i-tee ]

/ fyuˈtɪl ɪ ti /

the quality of being futile; ineffectiveness; uselessness.

a trifle or frivolity: the large collection of futilities that clutter our minds.

a futile act or event.

Origin of futility

From the Latin word fūtilitās, dating back to 1615–25. See futile, -ity

If anything can remind us about the futility of war, it is those wrecked, dismembered bodies.

To Truly Shame Putin, Show Us the Bodies of MH17 |Tim Teeman |July 22, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
This, despite feeling like futility is creeping like vines to tear down your walls of passion and security.

Female Journalist Gets Rape Threats Over Comic Book Criticism |Tauriq Moosa |April 21, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
But you should not have “acceptance” fed by feelings of futility; your response should be intolerance of intolerance.

Female Journalist Gets Rape Threats Over Comic Book Criticism |Tauriq Moosa |April 21, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Again: silence, from apathy or futility, is a powerful ingredient in making bigotry continue.

Female Journalist Gets Rape Threats Over Comic Book Criticism |Tauriq Moosa |April 21, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

The truth is, telling wedding vendors to only provide goods and services for “biblical” ceremonies is an exercise in futility.

Conservative Christians Selectively Apply Biblical Teachings in the Same-Sex Marriage Debate |Kirsten Powers, Jonathan Merritt |February 23, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
He talked about the futility of everything while I reported.

Space Tug |Murray Leinster
Sanford flailed his arms about, trying to break the Chief's faceplate while he screamed furious things about futility.

Space Tug |Murray Leinster
He was, of course, utterly wretched, impressed by the futility of arguing with her.

A Poor Wise Man |Mary Roberts Rinehart
Other stories of his illustrate the futility of self-deception on the part of the author.

Talks on the study of literature. |Arlo Bates
Had he been tampered with overnight, and persuaded of the futility of rebellion?

Mr. Crewe's Career, Complete |Winston Churchill

futility

/ (fjuːˈtɪlɪtɪ) /

lack of effectiveness or success

lack of purpose or meaning

something futile